RMT accuses Vestas of knocking back turbine factory rescue deal

Submitted by Admin on 7 August, 2009 - 11:21

OFFSHORE ENERGY UNION RMT today accused the owners of the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight of “kicking the legs” from under a rescue package that could have saved it from closure.

RMT officials Bob Crow and John Leach, along with representatives of the Vestas workforce, met with energy minister Joan Ruddock yesterday to discuss the future of the factory.

During the meeting it emerged that the government had offered a series of rescue options to the company but each one had been rejected.

New Threat to Stations Jobs

Submitted by Admin on 7 August, 2009 - 10:57

The attachment on this article details the management's attempt to drive custom away from ticket office windows and therefore do away with ticket office jobs. Euston, Paddington, Brixton, Victoria and Kings Cross are the latest stations which are trialling the five pounds minimum top up of oyster cards.

Statement on National Express East Anglia Action Today

Submitted by Admin on 6 August, 2009 - 16:00

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said

"Our members have shown again that they are solid,angry and determined to secure a fair deal on pay and conditions from a company that is obsessed with maximising profits at the expense of staff and the traveling public.

National express have provoked this action and have alienated their entire workforce across all three unions. Those workers have shown that they are not prepared to take a hit to prop up the profits of a company whose management have shown that they are not fit to run rail services."

SAVE VESTAS: Get a place on the solidarity bus - Friday evening

Submitted by Admin on 5 August, 2009 - 18:16

BUS TO VESTAS: FRIDAY EVENING: STOP THE EVICTION

From Workers' Climate Action

Everyone down at Vestas is still standing strong in the face of the possession order. A bus of about 20 Londoners went down on Tuesday evening, but everyone is getting pretty tired and another boost is needed!

A minibus (or two!) will be leaving London on Friday evening from Clapham at 6pm heading for Vestas. The bus will return on Sunday. It will cost between £10-£15 a head (or a bit more if you can afford to subsidise others) and will deliver a boost in numbers and energy to the fight to save jobs and save the planet!

Tribute to Brother Andy Melvin R.I.P.

Submitted by Admin on 5 August, 2009 - 14:25

Andy MelvinOn Thursday 23rd July Brother Andy Melvin passed away from bronchopneumonia in Whipps Cross Hospital.

Andy was a fantastic guy, ready to help everyone and anyone. He was a long serving member of the RMT and an activist from day one.

Andy started out on the buses before joining TfL and becoming a Supervisor in the Liverpool Street Travel Information Centre.

Day For Dobbo !!

Submitted by Eamonn Lynch on 5 August, 2009 - 10:45

Support Kevin

Ballot papers have now gone out with regard to Kevin Dobinson’s sacking. As you know Kevin was sacked for an aggravated SPAD that he owned up to. Drivers on the line were shocked at the severity of Kevin’s punishment, most thinking that at worse Kevin would have been dipped for what he did. This has led to rumours that Kevin’s past record most have been a factor in his sacking. This is not so. Kevin has never had an aggravated SPAD before, or indeed any other serious safety incident.

Who Killed Ian Tomlinson? Put Police in the Dock!

Submitted by Admin on 4 August, 2009 - 20:00

Press release from the United Campaign Against Police Violence

United Campaign Against Police Violence urges Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute officer involved

The United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) welcomes the step forward in the investigation into the death of newspaper vendor Ian Tomlinson. As the Independent Police Complaints Commission passes its files on the investigation into the police officer seen to strike Ian Tomlinson to the Crown Prosecution Service, we hope that this case will finally come to court and that justice is done.

Regional Council Calls for Measures to Increase Participation in RMT LGBT Conferences

Submitted by Admin on 4 August, 2009 - 14:22

RMT's London Transport Regional Council has submitted the following two items for inclusion on the agenda of either the union's Council of Executives or its National Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Advisory Committee, whichever the General Secretary considers appropriate:

1. Maximum number of delegates to LGBT Conference

Regional Organiser's report: Jobs / Pay / Justice dispute

Submitted by Admin on 4 August, 2009 - 11:24

I am writing regarding the latest position in negotiations with LUL and TfL over pay, the 'jobs for life' deal and bullying of our members.

Talks at ACAS have broken down because management have refused to discuss pay and bullying. The 'jobs for life' deal has been discussed but despite this deal being signed off by Gordon Brown and guaranteed by John Prescott management are refusing point blank to abide by it.

We have had another Goebbels-like piece of propaganda in senior management's 'Heads Up' communiqué stating that there are now only 70 jobs at risk and there were over 250 vacancies. If this were true then management could easily guarantee everyone at least one alternative job: why then are they not prepared to do this?