Upfront is the London Underground train drivers' newsletter from the RMT. In this edition we respond to some of management's misleading claims over our 'abolition of Night Tube grade' dispute, and also there's is an ACAS update which follows the latest meeting which was on the 21st of July.
Please download the attached newsletter to read it. You can also print and display it in your depot.
Dear member,
Senior RMT Safety reps and the Regional Organiser this afternoon attended an ad-hoc Safety Forum to discuss LU’s intention to implement the ‘workplace isolation exemption scheme’ that The Government are now keen to roll out to key industries; TfL being one of those organisations.
TfL are obviously keen to utilise this scheme given the staffing problems occurring in various Controls Rooms due to staff self-isolating.
So how would it work?
22/07/21
Specialist transport union RMT on staff isolation exemptions
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:
“RMT will give consideration to proposals from companies on critical workers exemptions but nobody should be under any illusions about how fraught with difficulty and potential danger any system will be to operate in practice.
Update from LT Regional Organiser John Leach
IMPROVING BAME COVID AWARENESS - LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED
I attended an Ad Hoc Pan Company Meeting accompanied by LU representatives on the above matter. This meeting was helpful and constructive.
15/07/21
The RMT has announced strike dates in our dispute over the abolition of the Night Tube grade. RMT demanded LUL pause their attack on our members jobs and work life balance but it has unfortunately fallen on deaf ears.
A packed meeting of driver reps and members agreed that the only option now is to name industrial action to bring LU management to their senses.
Final reminder and updated advice and details: RMT ‘Safe Travel is Clean Travel – Take cleaning in-house’ protest, 12pm 20 July
Following my previous circular please note the following updated advice and details.
The protest in support of cleaners will assemble at 12pm in the space across the road from Old Palace Yard, which lies next to the Houses of Parliament. You can find the space on this map. https://goo.gl/maps/E7HGsN9BcS8dqhXg9
RMT warns of further surge in self isolation from Monday due to Government chaos and confusion over masks on transport services.
TRANSPORT UNION RMT warned today that the current surge in people being pinged with self-isolation instructions will jack up again on Monday due to the Government's confused and conflicting messaging with respect to mask wearing and other COVID safety measures on transport services from the 19th July.
General Secretary Mick Lynch said;
RMT calls Justice for Cleaners Demonstration outside Parliament on 20th July
RMT has called a demonstration outside Parliament as part of the union’s campaign to end the privatisation of cleaning.
The demonstration – Cleaners are Essential; Justice for Cleaners – will take place on 20 July at 12pm opposite Old Palace Yard, Houses of Parliament SW1A 2BE
- download the attached leaflet and display it wherever ABM Cleaners work on London Underground
Why join RMT?
To win change, we need to unite in a collective organisation. Our strength is in numbers. TfL and ABM cannot run the job without us: it’s cleaners - not senior managers - who ensure stations, trains, depots, and office buildings are safely cleaned for other staff and passengers to use every day. Joining a union is the best way of organising our collective power.
RMT to take strike action over London Underground plans to abolish Night Tube Train Drivers’ grade
TUBE UNION RMT said today that it will be taking strike action across the Tube network over plans by London Underground to abolish the Night Tube Train Drivers’ grade.
Following a solid vote for action late last month and subsequent talks that failed to resolve this issue RMT has instructed members as follows;