Defending and improving conditions

BREAKDOWN OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS – INTERSERVE (LUL CONTRACT) (LUL/14/2)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/303/14, 17th November 2014), members will recall that we advised the Company that a dispute situation existed over the mistreatment of staff and abuse of power by supervisors and management, non-payment of wages, and attacks on trade union reps and activists. The RMT Reps then commenced the task of checking and updating member’s details as necessary for a ballot for industrial action.

Further to my previous Circular (IR/061/15, 2nd March 2015), the Company has been informed that a dispute situation now exists over the proposed changes to the Services organisation as part of the GTS Optimisation Programme. The proposals include compulsory redundancies and those members left at the Company will be facing worse rosters, shift patterns and terms and conditions. RMT put forward strong counter-proposals during discussions but it is clear that the Company has no intention of changing their plans.

This guidance document covers the following areas:

• What is rainbow?
• How is it being implemented
• What does it mean for our members?
• Threat of medical termination or disciplinary action relating to capability
• What should RMT reps & activists do next?

A resolution has been received from our London Underground Engineering Branch concerning the above matter, which is as follows:-

WITHDRAWAL OF REST DAYS, TRACK & CIVILS STAFF – TUBELINES (AP JNP) (LUL/8/6)

A resolution has been received from our London Underground Engineering Branch concerning the above matter, which is as follows:-

“The Branch has been informed that the agreement reached below represents the most that can be achieved through negotiation.

We are concerned that our members need to be fully consulted and involved in deciding whether this agreement is acceptable and our Branch therefore requests a referendum is carried out of all affected members in AP JNP Track and Civils, namely, Civils, Northern and Pic Track, Ultrasonics and the Lube Gang.

We further ask for it to be clear in the referendum that a rejection is likely to lead to a need to take industrial action and a strike ballot will likely follow.

IMPROVING PAY & CONDITIONS – CARLISLE CLEANING & SECURITY (DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY) (DLR/10/1)

In December 2013, we entered into dispute with the Company over a breach of our agreement regarding implementation of the London Living Wage and following the threat to take industrial action, a settlement was reached, including a pay increase for all members and a commitment that all staff on all contracts will be paid at a rate at least equivalent to or above the London Living Wage from commencement of the new franchise (Circular No. IR/42/14, 30th January 2014).

I am pleased to advise branches that following further discussions with the company, the GGC has accepted the latest proposal from Tube Lines to resolve this dispute. The details of the agreement are below: -

• All staff will be rostered to work a 35 hour week consisting of 5 consecutive shifts (either Sunday – Thursday or Monday to Friday) with 2 consecutive day off.
• The 10 days on 4 off roster will be removed from the Contract of Employment.
• Annual Leave days will be 37 days per annum.
  

TUBE UNION RMT today slammed cleaning contractor ISS for sacking at least one tube cleaner – and sending home many more workers without pay today – for following a union instruction not to book on for shifts using Biometric Fingerprinting Machines.

The agency cleaner was sacked after refusing to use the biometric system to sign on for work at Heathrow Terminal 4 this morning.

ACTION SUSPENDED

WITHDRAWAL OF REST DAYS - TUBE LINES – JUBILEE LINE

As you know, members voted in favour of industrial action over the withdrawal of rest days by Tube Lines management on the Jubilee Line Permanent Way. Members were instructed to take industrial action short of a strike in the form of taking official meal breaks whilst on duties from Midnight tonight.

I write to advise you that your General Grades Committee has considered the ballot result and has decided to call members to take industrial action over the company’s disgraceful withdrawal of your rest days. We believe it is totally unacceptable for the company to deny you properly rostered quality time off away from work.

With effect from 00.01 hours Tuesday 8th July 2014, until further notice you are instructed:

• To comply with Health and Safety requirements and take your official meal breaks whilst on duty.