Conference was held in Cardiff this year, particular thanks go to Cardiff Rail Branch for their superb welcome and hospitality. Thanks also for the well organised pre-conference social, well attended by both delegates and branch members alike.
RMT's London Transport region is affiliated to the United Campaign Against Police Violence, set up in the wake of this year's G20 protests.
You can visit the campaign's website by clicking here.
This letter is from Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary. Click '1 attachment' / file name to download it. Read the text below.
To All Probationers and Apprentices Employed by LUL - Our Ref : LUL/14/2 - 19th May 2009
Dear Colleague,
Current Dispute with London Underground.
As you know we are currently balloting all LUL members for strike action and action short of a strike over the company’s refusal to make a reasonable offer on pay, breaches of long standing agreements and their proposals to make up to 3000 staff redundant.
RMT is backing the ‘No2EU: Yes to Democracy’ coalition of trade unionists, political parties and campaigning groups, which is standing in London in the European elections on June 4 to defend democracy and public services.
Please come to the No2EU Yes to Democracy North London Rally, sponsored by RMT Camden No 3 Branch, on Thursday May 21 at the Fleet Community Centre, Fleet Road, London NW3 2QL, 7.30pm.
Speakers: Bob Crow, RMT general secretary and No2EU – Yes to democracy convenor Hugo Pierre, Camden Unison (personal capacity) other speakers to be confirmed
As part of last years dispute it was agreed that traffic hour supervision would be in place on the Wembley central group by the end of April 2009......well that date has now been and gone and there are no Super's in place yet?
Question to RMT head office what is this Union doing about this?? Surely we are considering at the least to take this to ACAS.
For branch members please come to the next branch to help pass a resolution getting the EC to take some action over LU's lack of progress on this matter.
Attendance: Glenroy W, Carol F, Stefan M, John K, Jackie D, Les S, Lewis P, Linda W, Mark H, Josie T-P, Olly N, Dean O'H, Vaughan T, Pat O'B, Janine B, Unjum M, Gwyn P, Damian F, Steve H, Clara O
Apologies: Neil H, Becky C, Micky H, Malcolm T, Chris T, Tony G, Mick C, Neil C, Paul J, Paul R, Chris C
Noted that as Paul Rutland is now a branch chair and therefore automatically a member of the Executive, his elected place on the Executive is vacant. Vacancy to be filled by nomination at the next Regional Council meeting.
1. REGIONAL COUNCIL MAILING
RMT train operators working out of the Seven Sisters depot, covering the Victoria Line, will be on strike from 21.00 hours Wednesday 20 May to 20.59 hours Thursday 21 May in a second day of action in a dispute over the failure to install Correct Door Side Enabling Equipment and the continuing bullying, harassment and victimisation of RMT members.
This has now been postponed until next month.
RMT Regional Membership Secretary Dave Rayfield explains the hows and whys of recruiting and retaining members, and keeping your membership information up-to-date. This workshop is a must for all RMT reps. Activists and members are welcome too.
Venue: ex-Services club, Harvey Road, Leytonstone
In April, RMT members returned a massive YES vote for industrial action to oppose LUL’s pay cuts, job cuts and mistreatment of staff. Over 83% voted for strikes; 94% for action short of a strike. This result sent a clear message: We will not stand by while you cut staff, attack our living standards and bully us into working when we’re sick.
RMT asked for a one-year deal, a substantial pay rise, a minimum of £26k, and improvements to conditions.
LUL has offered a real-terms pay cut of 1% for 2009 and RPI+0.5% for the next four years. LUL is using the recession as a smokescreen to get the Olympics on the cheap. TfL has not even made an offer!
Both employers have refused to even consider our other claims, on issues such as medical redeployment, shorter working hours and family-friendly policies.