Tube Lines strike is ON - Two important points for all Tube Lines and London Underground staff

Submitted by Admin on 23 June, 2010 - 14:45

1. Tube Lines has failed in its attempt to get the High Court to grant an injunction banning the Tube Lines Strike.

2. Click 'read more' to read RMT's response to London Underground circular erroneously claiming that the Emergency Response Unit will be available as normal.

RMT slams “Budget for the Rich” and warns of widespread public and industrial resistance to ConDem cuts agenda

Submitted by Admin on 22 June, 2010 - 21:35

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today slammed what it described as “the ConDem’s budget for the rich” – warning of widespread community and industrial resistance once people realise the full scale of the impact of the Government’s cuts plans for public services and the true cost for jobs and standards of living.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

Refusal To Work on Safety Grounds During Tube Lines Strike

Submitted by Peter on 20 June, 2010 - 08:20

Tube Lines are responsible for the Emergency Response Unit that covers the entire network and is fundamental to the safe running of London Underground. To ensure your own safety and that of others during the period of industrial action you are advised to approach your management prior to carrying out your duties for assurances that a safe system of work is in place.

RMT slams 'lethal and unworkable' Tory plan to axe all tube drivers and operators in a dash for cuts

Submitted by Peter on 17 June, 2010 - 18:48

TUBE UNION RMT tonight condemned “lethal and unworkable” plans leaked to the BBC from within the GLA Tory Group to axe all train drivers and operators on London Underground and to move the entire tube system to a driverless operation.

The leaked report, confirmed as being under discussion by the GLA Tories and which London Tory Mayor Boris Johnson is aware of, recommends sacking all of the 3,525 train drivers and operators estimating that it could result in savings of £141 million per annum.

Emergency Regional Council meeting

Note that the date has been rearranged due to practical difficulties with holding the meeting during the Tube Lines strike.

Venue: Exmouth Arms, Star Cross Street, London NW1

Following a request by a majority of Branch Secretaries in the Region, an emergency meeting of the London Transport Regional Council will be held to discuss current disputes within the region.

Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Disputes:

RMT Calls On Boris Johnson To “Get Out Of The Bunker” Over Tube Lines Dispute

Submitted by Peter on 16 June, 2010 - 20:07

TUBE UNION RMT today issued a renewed call for London Mayor Boris Johnson to “get out of the bunker and start talking” as the clock ticks down towards two 48 hour strikes called by the union in defence of jobs, pay and working conditions on Tube Lines starting next Wednesday.

RMT have warned that the threat to tube maintenance jobs will have serious safety consequences with the union already compiling evidence that repairs and renewals schedules are being hacked to pieces in the dash to slash budgets.

London Assembly Tories' Plan For The Tube Without Train Drivers

Submitted by Peter on 16 June, 2010 - 20:00

The Conservative group on the London Assembly have sent a memo to Mayor Boris Johnson detailing how they believe an underground system without drivers would provide a world class mass transit system.

The conservative group believe the underground would be better with an increased number of faster trains, more customers but less staff (sound familiar?). They claim that the acquisition of Tube Lines by London Underground is the perfect time to ditch drivers.

Resolution: London Underground industrial action ballot

Submitted by Janine on 15 June, 2010 - 19:01

Stratford no.1 branch submited the following resolution to be debated at the emergency Regional Council meeting in June, but withdrew the resolution at the meeting ...

This union notes that the decision of the GGC to ballot members on London Underground for industrial action against jobs cuts has yet to be implemented. We strongly urge the union to commence this process as soon as possible.

The employer is proceeding with its job cutting plan:

  • Admin staff preferencing has already taken place.

'RMT London Calling' June 2010 - Support These Strikes!

Submitted by Janine on 15 June, 2010 - 10:37

The new issue of our 'RMT London Calling' newsletter reports on next week's industrial action on Tube Lines and Docklands Light Railway, and on the approaching ballot of London Underground members.

It also reports on RMT's victory on ill-health pensions, our campaigning to bring London Overground (including the extended East London Line) into public ownership, John McDonnell's Bill to stop injunctions against strikes for technical trivialities, and RMT's plans to participate in the LGBT Pride march on 3 July.