Alstom-Metro Tube train maintenance industrial action suspended following significantly improved offer

TRANSPORT UNION RMT has confirmed that industrial action by Alstom-Metro tube maintenance staff over pay and conditions has been suspended following receipt of a significantly improved offer from the company.

RMT will now consult members on the new offer through a referendum ballot with a recommendation to accept.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said;

“It is a testament to the solidarity and determination of our members that their action has enabled our negotiators to secure this new offer which includes a significant uplift for our lowest paid grades.

Massive support received for RMT/TSSA campaign against LUL cuts

RMT has received massive support and solidarity messages for the campaign against cuts on London Underground:

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has thrown the weight of entire Labour movement behind our action, he has said: “Workers on the tube are understandably concerned that the cuts proposed for the underground will compromise safety for both the public and staff. We fully support the action staff are taking and call on the Mayor to engage in serious negotiations to resolve this dispute."

Message of support for our strikes

The coalition (Conservative/Liberal Democrat) government is attacking the basic rights and working conditions of workers, we must act now to prevent the loss of thousands more jobs. Whilst billions of pounds of public money has been spent to save the banks, the coalition government is reaping the cost of the economic crisis from ordinary working members of the public and the most economically disadvantaged including pensioners and Young people.

Health & Safety Rep - Elephant & Castle

The following letter was put on the noticeboards at Elephant & Castle by, Brian Munro, newly appointed and co-opted health and safety rep:

To: All drivers, Elephant & Castle Dear Brother / Sister HEALTH & SAFETY REP - ELEPHANT & CASTLE

Following the suspension of Eamonn Lynch from London Underground premises the Bakerloo Branch agreed that I would stand in as the health & safety rep on an interim basis. RMT head office duly informed LUL on September 2nd. Unfortunately management refused to recognize the RMT’s appointment.

“Death trap” tube warning as RMT releases pictures of worn train brakes

AS WORKERS across London Underground prepare for a further 24 hour strike over safe staffing levels starting this Sunday evening, RMT have today released pictures of worn-away brake blocks on trains that with finance-driven maintenance changes would be forced into service, a move that the union says demonstrate that financial cuts are ripping to shreds safety and maintenance schedules with lethal consequences for passengers and staff alike.

'RMT up front' - October issue

Click on the attachment to see the latest 'RMT up front', newsletter of the RMT train grades committee.

Articles follow:
Bend it like Beckham!
Becks can bend a ball, but not half as much as LU can bend standards and procedures
Remember the disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell? He used to ask his legal advisors for their legal opinion; if he didn’t like their answer, he’d sack them, and get a new legal advisor. He’d repeat the process until he got the opinion he wanted. LU is no better. They have standards to ensure health and safety is maintained, if they don’t have enough staff to ensure standards and procedures are carried out correctly, they just bend the rules to suit them.

Regional Council meeting

Venue: Somers Town Community Centre, Ossulston Street, London NW1.

Guest speakers: Bob Crow (RMT General Secretary) and Faryal Velmi (Transport for All).

Plus reports from our Executive member and Regional Organiser, reports on recruitment and organising, discussion on our disputes and campaigns, resolutions from branches, and more.

Details of agenda, resolutions etc here.