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?!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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?
Bakerloo driver Kevin Dobinson remains sacked following the result of an Appeal, heard by Trains Performance Manager, Rob Smith. As a result there will be an emergency Branch meeting on July 13th in Unity House at 16:00 hours. Download the attached poster for notice boards.
Click '1 attachment' / file name to download this as an A4 poster
First they came for the admin staff, and I did not take action because I am not admin staff
Then they came for the engineers, and I did not take action because I am not an engineer
Then they came for the station staff, and I did not take action because I do not work on stations
Then they came for service control, and I did not take action because I do not work in service control
Then they came for the revenue staff, and I did not take action because I am not an RCI
This resolution, submitted by LU Engineering branch, was passed unanimously by the July meeting of the Regional Council.
This Region region totally condemns the activities of the racists and facists that call themselves the BNP.
To this end this region will: * join the protest in Codnor Derbyshire, against the Red, White and Blue Fascist "festival" organised by the BNP in Derbyshire on Saturday 15th August. * It will also produce badges for its Region's members "LT Region aginst Racism" (The LU Engineering Branch agrees to donate £500 to the cost) *