Answering Back: Replying to Management's Propaganda Against Our Dispute

Submitted by Admin on 18 May, 2009 - 15:36

Management Say ...

A five-year deal gives us security.

No, it gives us insecurity. It ties us to a set formula regardless of what economic changes lie ahead. It is like committing ourselves to wearing bermuda shorts and flipflops regardless of changeable weather and storms on the way.

The pay rise should be based on RPI: it always has been in the past.

Remember LUL’s ‘Breakout’ campaign? It told us not to be afraid to do things differently if it means doing them better.

'RMT London Calling' May 2009 - Vote Yes for Jobs, Pay and Justice

Submitted by Admin on 18 May, 2009 - 15:25

The new issue of 'RMT London Calling' urges all members on TfL and London Underground (including ex-Metronet) to vote Yes in the re-ballot for industrial action to defend jobs, pay and justice. It takes an indepth look at the issues and answers management's propaganda.

'RMT London Calling' also reports on the Victoria line dispute, DLR workers' fight against imposed rosters, and other RMT activities in the London Transport region.

Please distribute it widely around workplaces. Click '1 attachment'/file name to download it.

GSMs on the line: Who is in charge?

Submitted by Taylor on 17 May, 2009 - 10:33

GSM Simon Jones (Charing Cross) and GSM Stacey McManus (Wembley Central) have virtually no experience of operating in our industry and their management of both groups over the last year goes a long way in proving their incompetence. Performance manager Dave Proffit appears to have far too much involvement on all the groups and many staff members and reps are of the opinion that the GSM's don't lead their groups its Dave Proffit.

Jobs Going Through The Back Door!

Submitted by Taylor on 17 May, 2009 - 09:31

Your RMT Reps have received information that shows London Underground (LUL) cutting jobs through the back door. The RMT has called for an emergency meeting with LUL management to explain what they are doing and await their reply to our request.

The methods that LUL are deploying to cut these jobs are appalling and is stopping staff gaining promotion, stopping staff working beyond retirement (for those want to!) and in the case of Waterloo blatantly removing positions off the new roster.

Response to Gerry Duffy's Bulletin

Submitted by Admin on 15 May, 2009 - 15:57

From RMT Regional Organiser Steve Hedley ...

In answer to Gerry Duffys bulletin on the strike I would like to deal with the distortions of the truth that he has made.

1 The pay offer. The offer is one percent this year and rpi plus 0.5 percent for years 2 to 5 .This is right over the Olympic period where Australian rail workers were very well rewarded when the games were in Sydney. This is clearly unacceptable but we have not walked out on talks and will continue to negotiate.

LUL: Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2009, Redundancies and Breach of Agreements

Submitted by Admin on 15 May, 2009 - 08:55

From RMT General Secretary, Bob Crow

Dear Colleague,

LUL: Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2009, Redundancies and Breach of Agreements

Further to my earlier letters, I am writing to remind you that the re-ballot in this dispute begins today and you should receive your ballot paper in the next day or so.

You returned a magnificent YES vote for action in the first ballot, but LUL turned to their lawyers and used technicalities that would have made no difference to the outcome to stop your union using that mandate for action.

RMT re-ballot of 10,000 Tube and TfL workers over jobs, pay and breaches of agreements starts today

Submitted by Janine on 14 May, 2009 - 21:01

RMT press release, issued today

THE TUBE’S biggest union today began a re-ballot of nearly 10,000 members across London Underground and Transport for London for strike action in separate disputes centred on jobs, pay and breaches of disciplinary and attendance agreements.

The re-run of the strike ballots follows a provocative legal challenge by LUL to ballots last month, which nonetheless showed a rock-solid five-to-one majority in favour of action.

Up to 3000 jobs are under threat across the Tube and TfL.

May Branch newsletter

Submitted by Joffe on 14 May, 2009 - 19:41

Please find attached the latest Branch newsletter.

"Last month tube management succeeded in de-railing our democratic right to strike for better pay, against bullying and against compulsory redundancies.
Running off to the courts and threatening the union with legal action rather than negotiating with us shows their contempt for the workforce."

POSTPONED: Training Workshop: Recruitment, Retention and Managing Membership Information

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: Exmouth Arms, Starcross Street, near Euston

This workshop is also running the following day in east London. Details here.

Managers Breach Safety at Blackhorse Road

Submitted by plectrum on 14 May, 2009 - 03:10

While Victoria line drivers are being sacked for safety breaches which would not even have occurred had the company fitted correct-side door enable equipment to its trains, it seems that managers can make safety-critical mistakes with impunity. An example of this took place on 7th May at Blackhorse Road station. At about 1700, both escalators failed. The Supervisor tried everything to get at least one of them restarted but without success.