RMT to protest at Israeli Embassy in support of sacked Arab rail workers

Submitted by Admin on 9 May, 2009 - 06:57

MEMBERS OF Britain’s largest rail union, RMT, will be taking a protest over the dismissal of 40 Israeli Arab rail workers to the steps of the Israeli Embassy at 1pm on Monday 11th May.

The protest will draw attention to the decision of Israel Railways to change its employment terms so that only Israeli army veterans will now be employed as lookouts at level crossings to prevent collisions between trains and vehicles. The current Arab workforce are exempt from national service and as a consequence have now been handed redundancy notices by Israel Railways.

Swine Flu - Update

Submitted by Janine on 8 May, 2009 - 23:00

"We hope the virus fizzles out, because if it doesn't we are heading for a big outbreak...I'm not predicting the pandemic will blow up, but if I miss it and we don't prepare, I fail. I'd rather over-prepare than not prepare". WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan

Since our last circular regarding Influenza A (H1N1) or Swine Flu we have met up with Directors of Safety from LUL (and Metronet) and Tubelines to discuss the matter (06/05/09).

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2009, Redundancies – TfL

Submitted by plectrum on 8 May, 2009 - 00:53

From RMT official circular IR/152/09, dated 7th May 2009

Dear Colleague,

As with LUL it was decided not to use the ‘YES’ vote returned by members as a result of the challenge we had received. We have now had the opportunity to check the details we send to management and are to re-ballot TfL members.

As with LUL the issues remain the same and I list these below for ease of reference.

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

Submitted by Admin on 7 May, 2009 - 12:57

RMT press release, issued today

THE TUBE’S biggest union is to re-ballot 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.

Resolution: Childcare Expenses

Submitted by Janine on 7 May, 2009 - 09:05

LU Engineering branch submits the following resolution for discussion at the next meeting of the Regional Council.

This branch notes that the Regional Council pays £15 to the cost of child care for those attending the LT Regional Council Meetings. We believe that this should be changed to be the full amount of the cost. This belief is based on low take up and therefore overall cost of the scheme and that it is several years since this was altered and costs have risen.

'Battle of the Bands' competition

Submitted by Janine on 6 May, 2009 - 23:00

National Young Members Advisory Committee - The Past We Inherit The Future We Build

Are you a RMT member (young or young at heart)?

Are you in a band?

Do you want to showcase your talents in our battle of the bands competition (with the grand prize of recording time at the studio at Brixton JAMM??

Then we want to hear from you NOW!

The RMT Young Members are holding a benefit gig for the Nicaraguan Solidarity Campaign to commemorate the 30 year anniversary of their revolution at the Brixton JAMM on Saturday 13th June 2009.

Resolution: Revised Pay Offer

Submitted by Janine on 4 May, 2009 - 15:23

This resolution, submitted by Neasden branch and seconded by LU Engineering branch, was passed unanimously at the Regional Council meeting on 30 April 2009.

The Regional Council notes that LUL have now increased their 5-year pay offer to include increases of RPI plus 0.5% in years 2-5.

This offer remains entirely unacceptable in terms of both pay and the continued TfL redundancy process and withdrawal from no redundancy agreements that previously applied to all members.