Notes from Regional Council Executive meeting, 8 September 2009

Submitted by Admin on 15 September, 2009 - 14:05

Present: Vaughan Thomas, Janine Booth, Lewis Peacock, Carol Foster, Clara Osagiede, Josie Toussaint-Pinnock, John Kelly, Jackie Darby, Bob McMunn, Malcolm Taylor, Stefan Melnyk, Tony Gandolfi, Paul Rutland, Dean O'Hanlon, Mick Crossey, Gwyn Pugh, Glenroy Watson, Damian Franklin, Neil Hodgson In attendance: Steve Hedley (Regional Organiser), Unjum Mirza Apologies: Linda Wiles, Dave Rayfield, Bjorn Bradshaw-Murray, Micky Hyde, Pat O'Brien, Steve Reely, Neil Cochrane, Adrian Rowe, Yvonne Duncan

RECRUITMENT AND ORGANISATION

TfL Pay /Jobs/Justice Dispute

Submitted by Admin on 15 September, 2009 - 10:19

Paul Rutland Chair TfL No.1 Branch, writes ...

Although it is great to see some progress being made on the LUL, unfortunately this cannot be said for the TfL side of the dispute. Although at the last talks management reduced the offer to 3 years, this is still disgraceful. On the job loss front, we are still mostly in the dark.

Date of Reps' Meeting: Two Letters to London Underground

Submitted by Admin on 15 September, 2009 - 10:15

From Bob Crow, 14 September 2009

I am extremely disappointed that you have failed to take on board the representations that were made to you by my Regional Organiser at the Company Council meeting.

I understand that it was made quite clear to you that we needed until 6th October 2009, to respond to you on acceptance of this year’s pay claim. I would also point out that ASLEF required a deadline of 5th October.

Conference: Crisis in Working Class Representation

REGISTER NOW:

Venue: Camden Centre, London

I encourage members to register now for the public meeting the RMT has convened to examine the crisis in working class political representation. It will be held in London at the Camden Centre on Saturday 7th November 2009 between 11am and 3pm.

The 2009 RMT Annual General Meeting decided to hold this non-binding and non-resolution based Conference, to discuss with like-minded socialists and trade unionists how best we can promote working class political interests.

RMT announces strike action on Eurostar

Submitted by Admin on 11 September, 2009 - 11:53

RAIL UNION RMT announced today that cleaners working for the Carlisle Group on their Eurostar contract will strike forty eight hours next week in a long-running dispute on a range on pay, conditions and bullying issues. RMT members voted 100% for action.

The strike will run from 21.59 hours on Thursday 17th September to 21.59 hours on Saturday 19th September.

The issues at the heart of the strike action are:

* A failure by the company to make any offer of a pay increase for 2009 and an underhand attempt to push back the pay settlement date by nine months into 2010.

Docklands Light Railway: dispute and news

Submitted by Admin on 11 September, 2009 - 11:51

Urgent update: Docklands Light Railway has sacked a member of staff for having had swine flu and an accident at work! Unlike other companies (even London Underground!), DLR management has refused to discount swine flu absences from its sickness attendance policy. RMT's DLR branch is planning to hold an emergency meeting to launch a campaign to reverse this outrageous sacking.

Regional Organiser's report: Pay and more

Submitted by Admin on 11 September, 2009 - 11:48

Dear colleagues,

LUL - TfL - Alstom - Cubic - bus workers

LUL Pay

I attended the LUL company council meeting on the 08/9/09 and discussed the pay offer. There was no improvement whatsoever on the last offer. It remains 1.5 percent this year and RPI plus 0.5 percent next year. LUL are prepared to release our reps for a meeting and I am requesting Tuesday 6th October 2009 (one day after the ASLEF reps are released) to take a sounding on where we go.

Mayor Boris Johnson to face more pressure over London Living Wage for tube cleaners at Mayor’s questions

Submitted by Admin on 11 September, 2009 - 10:06

richardLONDON MAYOR Boris Johnson will come under renewed pressure at Mayor’s Questions today (Wednesday September 9) over his failure to ensure that cleaners working for contractors on London Underground receive the London Living Wage that they are entitled to.

The issue will be raised today by Labour GLA Leader Val Shawcross as part of an on-going campaign by tube union RMT to get the cleaners the London Living Wage that they deserve.

John Knight RIP

Submitted by Admin on 11 September, 2009 - 09:59

John Knight - a lifelong union rep, activist and officer of Finsbury Park Branch - has died following being diagnosed with throat cancer only 6 weeks ago.

John spent most of his working life as a guard and driver both at Oakwood and Arnos Grove and was known for his integrity and unshakeable principles that characterise all that is good about our union. He was kind and compassionate and was well respected by all who knew him and even in his retirement years that were tragically cut short he still gave his time without reward to help youngsters in his local RAF cadet company.