Industrial action

Submitted by LU Engineering branch

The GGC have decided that the RMT will not agree any breaches to the framework agreement either forced or voluntary.

From RMT London Transport Region Executive Janine Booth

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

• LU service control – decision today
• Cubic – ballot re pay (2.5%)/Olympics
• Cleaners – Initial/ISS
• Tube Lines – this week’s action – BW report
• Thales – ballot put on today
• Telent/Quinns – ballot decided, still being prepared
• TfL Olympics – ballot decided, still being prepared
• Time taken to prepare ballots – verbal report given

We note that our London Underground service control representatives and members met on
Wednesday 18 April. They feel strongly that London Underground Ltd has not responded adequately
to their concerns, and wish RMT to begin a ballot for strike action and action short of strike forthwith.

We therefore instruct the General Secretary to:

• commence this ballot
• set timescales for it which co-ordinate with other disputes in the London Transport region, so
  long as this is practical and does not unnecessarily delay action in any dispute

We note the resolution from LU Engineering branch and the report regarding our ballot of APD Fleet members.

There has been extensive coverage in the media of Tube Lines workers strike for equal pensions with other London Underground workers.

• BBC: LU workers to start 72-hour strike
• ITV: Underground denies PPP plans
• LBC: Tube strike starts at 4pm
  

• Action commences at 16.00 hrs today (24TH April) when Tube Lines staff, including the Emergency Response Unit, will walk off the job.
• It is important to point out that the impact of the action will extend beyond 72 hours as the strike decision says that … “members are instructed to return to work for shifts starting after 16:00hrs on Friday 27 April 2012.” Due to the shift patterns this means that the action and its impact on services will last throughout Friday evening.
  

FIRE BRIGADES UNION statement

London Fire Brigades Union is backing Tube Lines workers starting a 72-hour strike from 4pm this afternoon. The tube workers want access to the Transport for London pension scheme.

Ian Leahair, FBU Executive Council member for London said: “We’re throwing our support behind the Tube Lines workers taking strike action to secure access to the TfL pension scheme. A decent occupational pension is essential for workers to ensure they are not living in poverty in retirement.

On Eve Of Tube Lines strike RMT warns of secret plan to reprivatise tube maintenance and unleash nightmare repeat of Public Private Partnership

With Tube Lines staff, including the Emergency Response Unit, geared up to strike for 72 hours from 4pm today in a dispute over pensions and benefits equality with other underground staff, tube union RMT warned that the failure of tube bosses to agree a simple harmonisation of the most basic employment conditions could be linked to a secret plan to reprivatise the maintenance work unleashing the nightmare of PPP2.

We note the report from our Regional Organiser, who met with Cubic Transportation services
today to discuss our pay claim and an Olympic bonus. The company:

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Members of the RMT employed at Tube Lines are due to take part in strike action, the period of the strike will be from 16.00 hours on 24th April until 16.00 hours on 27th April.

Should you, as an individual, feel that as part of your duties you are placing yourself in serious or imminent danger during the dispute you should comply with your company’s policy as required by the MHSW.

Attached to this circular is a pro-forma should you wish to record your concerns in writing to your management.