News, reports and information for London Underground train drivers
This week, after months of talks, your TFC reps, along with their Aslef colleagues, were finally in a position to put a joint proposal on rostering Night Tube to LUL trains management. This followed a decision at Company Council to review the impact of Night Tube on all members of staff.
This is the latest edition of 'Jubilee South Train Drivers Newsletter' with news and information for RMT train drivers based at Stratford and North Greenwich.
In this edition:
Further to my previous Circular (IR/034/15, 29th January 2015) the ballot for strike action has concluded and members are congratulated for returning a ‘yes’ vote and for the excellent support shown despite a massive campaign of misinformation and smears mounted by LU and TfL bosses and the media.
Further to my previous correspondence advising you of the result of the ballot, members are congratulated for returning a ‘yes’ vote for strike action and for the excellent support shown by you and your colleagues despite a massive campaign of misinformation and smears mounted by LU and TfL bosses and the media.
Alex McGuigan was sacked following a flawed alcohol test which we believe resulted in a false result. We balloted for industrial action to defend Alex which resulted in a yes vote for strike.
There are lots of ways that you can help Alex get his job back, and help the union ensure that alcohol testing is fair and robust for all of us on London Underground.
The Train’s Health and Safety Council have received enquiries lately about what is covered in periodic age medical assessments. Below is a summary of the reply we received back from Occupational Health.
The periodic medical assessments that are undertaken include the following:
Health questionnaire:
Tests: Distance vision, near vision, colour vision, blood pressure, pulse, height weight and BMI, audiogram, mobility test, urine test (glucose, blood, protein), (blood sugar if glucose in urine or known Diabetes)
The RMT have compiled a booklet for train driver members. This handy guidance contains the following information:
View and download the poster below
1 - We believe Alex is innocent
Alex has diabetes which we believe has given a false positive in a random breath test he took when booking on for duty. The RMT has seen evidence that this is possible. If the police breath test you and you fail, they take you back to the police station and you are tested again using much more robust equipment. At LUL once you fail a breath test that is it - sacked after 29 years unblemished service.
In this edition of the London Underground train drivers newsletter 'Upfront:Health & Safety News':
DISMISSAL – A. MCGUIGAN – TRAIN OPERATOR – MORDEN, LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/08/15, 12th January 2015), the ballot papers for all London Underground Train Operator and Instructor Operator members were posted out on Monday 26th January and the closing date for this ballot is Tuesday 10th February 2015. If any member has not received their ballot paper, please ask them to call the Freephone Helpline number on 0800 376 3706 as soon as possible so a replacement can be sent.