National Insurance contributions increase

Submitted by Admin on 21 April, 2016 - 12:44

Dear Colleagues,

TFL PENSION FUND – CONTRACTING-OUT PROPOSALS

As a result of Government legislation Defined Benefit (Final Salary) pension schemes, such as the TfL Pension Fund, are no longer able to contract-out of the State Second Pension. As from 6th April 2016 both members and employers will see their National Insurance Contributions (NIC) increase by 1.4% and 3.4% respectively as the rebate associated to contracting-out is abolished.

TFL pension fund - 2015 triennial actuarial valuation

Submitted by Admin on 21 April, 2016 - 12:41

Dear Colleagues,

TFL PENSION FUND - 2015 TRIENNIAL ACTUARIAL VALUATION

Following the 2015 triennial actuarial valuation of the TfL Pension Fund the results reveal a deficit of £396 million with a funding level of 95%. This is a significant improvement on the previous valuation carried out in 2012 which revealed a deficit of £699 million (funding level of 89%). 

Report: ETF Women's Mid-Term Conference and Committee meeting, Bucharest, 12-13 April

Submitted by Janine on 17 April, 2016 - 18:24
INTRODUCTION/CONTEXT
  • The opening address stressed the importance of women workers organising in a male-dominated industry and the context of women's struggles in a time of austerity and terrorism.
  • There was a minute’s silence for the victims of terror attacks.

Dockland Light Railway cleaners vote to strike

Submitted by Admin on 17 April, 2016 - 00:24

CHANGES TO CLEANING OPERATIONS – INTERSERVE FACILITIES (KEOLIS AMEY DOCKLANDS CONTRACT) (DLR/15/4)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/073/16, 17th March 2016), the ballot has concluded with members voting as follows:-

Question: Are you prepared to take strike action?

Total Votes Cast 34

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 33

Number Voting ‘No’ 1

Spoilt Papers 0

Question: Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

Total Votes Cast 34

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 30

Number Voting ‘No’ 1

Spoilt Papers 3

'Good progress' in talks sees Piccadilly strike date pushed back

Submitted by Admin on 17 April, 2016 - 00:19

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, TRAIN OPERATORS, PICCADILLY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/073/16, 17th March 2016), members took part in solidly supported strike action on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th March which closed down the Piccadilly Line. However, management took the aggressive stance of threatening our members that they would lose wages if they refused to book on at Oakwood Depot and the National Executive Committee took the decision to rescind this instruction.

Lillie Bridge Depot dispute update

Submitted by Admin on 17 April, 2016 - 00:15

CLOSURE OF LILLIE BRIDGE DEPOT – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/15/1)

As Branches and members may recall (Circular No. IR/584/13, 7th October 2013), agreement was reached to resolve the previous dispute with London Underground in 2013 over the proposed closure of Lillie Bridge Depot. However, it now seems that this agreement has been breached and I have recently received the following resolution from our LU Engineering Branch:-

“Ballot of all RMT members in Lillie Bridge Depot and those affected. Lillie Bridge Depot Closure and Breach of LU Company Council Agreement.

Lillie Road depot ballot called over mad dash demolition plan

Submitted by Admin on 13 April, 2016 - 16:03

RMT to ballot for action at main tube track maintenance and renewals depot.

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that it has begun preparations for a ballot for both strike action and action short of a strike for all staff working out of the main track maintenance and renewals depot at Lillie Road in Earls Court.