Campaigning for higher health and safety standards at work, and opposing the employers' shortcuts
Reporting Incidents
This is an issue that constantly raises its head at the Trains H&S council. We get reports from management that everything is rosy in their paperwork and graph filled little worlds. Funnily enough at the THSC we have entirely different view. We actually talk to our local reps and members and don’t have the target led approach to H&S so naturally don’t see it their way.
The Upgrades Newsletter has the latest information on upgrades for London Underground train drivers.
In this edition:
RMT calls for assurances on Night Tube safety case and a fair deal for engineers as Mayor announces July start target
Biggest tube union calls for assurances on safety case and a fair deal for engineers after Mayor confirms July start for Night Tube.
London's largest tube union called for reassurances from London Underground on the Night Tube safety case, and a fair deal for Tube Lines engineers, after the Mayor confirmed a July start for the project.
RMT demands halt to job cuts and scrapping of driverless trains plans after horrific Clapham South Incident
Tube union RMT today demanded a halt to the massive LU job cuts programme and to the lethal idea of driverless trains after the publication of the official report into the dragging incident at Clapham South Station last year. RMT has also called for all platforms for to be fully staffed.
RMT demands halt and reversal of station staffing job cuts as dangerous overcrowding hits Kings Cross and Victoria this morning.
General secretary Mick Cash said.
"The dangerous and chronic overcrowding on London Underground has worsened this morning with Kings Cross closed and Victoria diverting passengers during the peak.
Following a recent safety related incident incurred by a Train Operator whilst being filmed for 'the tube' programme, the issue of filming in cabs was brought into sharp focus. You may recall this is the same programme which in an earlier series filmed and aired footage of a Train Operator in obvious discomfort following a person under the train incident.
We have raised concerns with LUL and the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) about Train Operators leaving trains in tunnel sidings and being expected to leave the sidings with traction current still on.
The ORR has confirmed that the default position as outlined in law, is that traction current should be off in these circumstances.
The ORR further added that it is not for the Train Operator to request traction current off or for the controller to tell the Train Operator to come out with traction current still on.
RMT says that Central Line falling concrete incident reinforces case against driverless trains and for protecting track patrols.
General Secretary Mick Cash said;
"This incident of falling concrete from development works above the Central Line is not the first of its kind and with whole swathes of London now a building site it rams home the dangers for the tube network as developers rush ahead with their projects.
TRACK PATROLLING, CLESHAR STAFF – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/1)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/029, 5th February 2016), discussions took place at ACAS last week and progress was made over LUL’s decision to train Cleshar staff to undertake Track Patrolling duties. As a result, the National Executive Committee took the decision to suspend the strike action which was due to commence on Friday 12th February.
RMT suspends first phase of strike action in tube safety dispute.
Tube union RMT confirmed today that a first phase in a programme of industrial action involving nearly 1500 maintenance and renewals staff on London Underground and Tube Lines, in a fight over basic safety issues relating to what are known as “Section 15 possessions”, has been suspended after the union received confirmation that changes will be put on hold for two weeks to allow for a comprehensive safety review.