Dispute Update: Jobs, Pay, Justice

Submitted by Admin on 15 July, 2009 - 16:00

From Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary

Dear Colleague,

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2009, REDUNDANCIES AND BREACH OF AGREEMENTS - LUL

DISPUTE UPDATE

On behalf of the General Grades Committee, I would firstly wish to congratulate members and representatives on London Underground for their continuing unity which delivered a strong and successful strike last month.

RMT Reaction to Mayor Boris Johnson's Comments that a Quarter of a Million Pounds a Year From His Second Job is "Chickenfeed"

Submitted by Janine on 14 July, 2009 - 22:54

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

“Transport workers in London will look at Boris Johnson’s claim that £250,000 a year for moonlighting in a second job is “chickenfeed” and wonder just what planet he’s living on.

“Our members working as cleaners on London Underground, who have been denied the London Living Wage that was promised them by Boris Johnson, will be especially angry when they are out there doing dirty jobs for little more than six pounds an hour.

Boris Johnson: Quarter-Million Pay is "Chicken Feed"

Submitted by Admin on 14 July, 2009 - 12:44


This link shows Boris Johnson describe his quarter of a million payment for a second job as a journalist as “chicken feed”.

It makes me wonder not only about our Mayor's judgement but also his hypocrisy in opposing the RMT pay claim. Why is it that millionaires so strongly oppose people on just over twenty thousand per annum getting a pay rise that keeps up with the real rate of inflation?!

RMT warns of staffing and safety dangers over swine flu pandemic

Submitted by Janine on 14 July, 2009 - 12:41

TRANSPORT UNION RMT warned today of severe pressures on staffing levels and serious safety risks across the transport system as experts advised that up to 40% of the population could become ill with the swine flu over the coming weeks.

Transport workers are known to be at greater risk of infection as they tend to work in close contact with the public and colleagues, and often in confined spaces like trains, buses, the Underground, ferries and offices.

RMT AGM: Stop the Sickness Bullies

Submitted by Janine on 14 July, 2009 - 11:56

At RMT's AGM, I proposed this resolution on behalf of Stratford no.1 branch. Lots of delegates spoke in favour of the resolution, telling stories of management abuse of sick staff in their company and/or area. This relates strongly to one of the three issues of our current Jobs Pay and Justice dispute. The resolution was passed unanimously. This is the text of my speech.

Across our industry, employers are clamping down on sickness absence.

RMT AGM: Questioning the General Secretary's Report

Submitted by Janine on 14 July, 2009 - 11:23

Refusal to work on the grounds of safety - rights for pregnant women and new mothers

At RMT's AGM, the General Secretary presents a written report, and delegates can question and comment on it. These are the two points that I raised:

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There are two issues that are not in the Report, which I think should have been.

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Firstly, refusal to work on the grounds of safety.

'RMT London Calling' special issue - The Fight Goes On!

Submitted by Admin on 13 July, 2009 - 20:54

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the new issue of 'RMT London Calling', which goes through the issues behind RMT's current dispute with London Underground and Transport for London.

The union will be mailing this to every member in our region, so if you would like to come and help us stuff them into envelopes over the next few days, please contact Steve on 07545-530526 to volunteer your services!

Defend Job Security - Defend the 'Jobs for Life' deal!

Submitted by Admin on 13 July, 2009 - 19:31

London Underground is shedding 1,000 jobs, and is considering making compulsory redundancies. Around 70 staff are still under threat of being forcibly sacked.

The company’s action directly breaches our ‘no compulsory redundancies’ agreement. If LUL gets away with breaching this agreement for this group of staff – who are in administrative and management grades – then it will try the same for other staff too. Your job and your grade could be next.

Admin now, other grades next

Scabs

Submitted by Admin on 13 July, 2009 - 19:09

by Vaughan Thomas, Regional Council President

It’s an emotive word and one which used in the workplace has even led to disciplinary action. Nevertheless, it is an important part of the lexicon of picketers and very effective when used properly!

So what are “scabs” and what motivates them?