Click on the attachment to see the latest issue of RMT Up front, the newsletter for RMT drivers on London Underground.
This issue leads on LU's proposals for driverless trains and the union's ballot for action of our test train operators, a report on TBTC working on the Northern Line, and a report on live safety issues from the Trains Health & Safety Council.
From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow
I write to regarding those Tube Lines employees who are being denied access to TfL Pension Fund (TfLPF) and the same travel facilities as other TfL workers. As you will be aware earlier this year union members employed by Tube Lines were balloted for pension and travel equality and as a result returned a massive yes vote in support of industrial action.
it is clear that management are not going to move on pensions or address the claim in full on travel. I therefore wish to inform you that with effect from 17.30 hours Friday 5th October 2012 until 05.30 hours Monday 8th October 2012 that the RMT General Grades Committee has instructed Tube Lines members not to work any overtime.
The RMT is to hold a demonstration outside the Zimbabwean Embassy on Sunday 7th of October in response to ongoing violation of LGBt rights by the Zimbabwean government. We will also be handing in a protest letter which has been signed by General Secretary Bob Crow and 43 other RMT members.
If you are an RMT member and wish to have your name added please contact us
The protest letter, below, was written by the RMT's London Transport Region LGBT Officer.
From General Secretary Bob Crow
Dear Colleagues,
The website Rail.Co are running an online poll on RMT’s demand that in light of West Coast Main Line fiasco the Thameslink Fleet deal with Siemens be cancelled and awarded to Bombardier in Derby
You can add your vote here.
Noting that Tube Lines' cleaning contract with ISS expires on 31 March 2013, we resolve that the union will run a high-profile campaign for the contract to be brought in-house.
We therefore instruct the General Secretary to:
Reacting to government abandonment of west coast tendering RMT general secretary Bob Crow said;
"The whole sorry and expensive shambles of rail privatisation has been dragged into the spotlight this morning and instead of re-running this expensive circus, the West Coast route should be renationalised on a permanent basis. Those ministers who have presided over this fiasco should also be called to account.
A London Underground cleaner pulled a child to safety from a railway line just moments after a driver hit their trains emergency brakes and prevented what could have been a fatal incident.
The eight year old boy was pulled to safety from the Jubilee Line tracks at Stanmore just moments after a train was brought to an emergency stop by the driver a few feet away.
TRANSPORT UNION RMT confirmed today that security and safety staff employed by STM Security Group on London Overground services will be balloted for both strike action and action short of a strike this week in a dispute over bullying and an attempt to impose new terms and conditions.
STM are contracted to provide safety and security services on London Overground stations.
Despite several warnings from RMT, management at STM Security Group have continued to bully and intimidate our Travel Safe Officer member’s and union representatives.
RAIL UNION RMT today demanded that the Government call a halt to the 18 month long saga of the Siemens/Thameslink fleet contract after it emerged that it has been stitched together by the same group of Ministers and Government officials responsible for the collapse of the West Coast main line franchising deal.
From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow
I am very pleased to confirm the RMT Education Centre will be opening the additional building development to the existing Education Centre on the 23rd November 2012. This additional facility effectively doubles our education and training support to our Unions members. To reflect this expanded facility I am attaching the 2013 education programmes for both of the teaching rooms now available at the RMT Education Centre in Doncaster. The programme again is a progression from 2012 and the Council of Executives remain committed to providing the best education and training support for our members and officials.