When negotiations fail, RMT members take action
RMT is to ballot our members on the Woolwich Ferry for action short of strikes in a dispute about redundancies and attacks on terms and conditions.
Ferry operator SERCO wants to get rid of 31 jobs out of 120 who work on board the ferries. RMT fears that shoreside workers will face redundancies when the company have dealt with the onboard staff.
Circular No. IR/253/09: IMPOSITION OF ROSTERS – CONTROL ROOM – SERCO DOCKLANDS
The above dispute remains ongoing and I am in the process of re-balloting these members for strike action and industrial action short of a strike.
To re-cap, the dispute originated last year from an attempt by management to force Control Room staff from a popular 12 hour roster to an 8 hour one. A successful ballot for industrial action forced them to pull back from implementation, but negotiations broke down and Serco again attempted to unilaterally implement the 12 hour roster.
Please note that this document is London Underground's policy not RMT's! We publish it here for information, not because we endorse it!
A key part of this document is in Section 2: 2. Staff Who Take Industrial Action Shifts lost through official industrial action will NOT count under the Attendance at Work procedure. Staff covered by the industrial action who do not attend for work and who are not sick or on leave should be recorded on SAP, as appropriate, under the code for Industrial Action Official.
Support Kevin
Ballot papers have now gone out with regard to Kevin Dobinson’s sacking. As you know Kevin was sacked for an aggravated SPAD that he owned up to. Drivers on the line were shocked at the severity of Kevin’s punishment, most thinking that at worse Kevin would have been dipped for what he did. This has led to rumours that Kevin’s past record most have been a factor in his sacking. This is not so. Kevin has never had an aggravated SPAD before, or indeed any other serious safety incident.
Details here.
by Vaughan Thomas, Regional Council President
It’s an emotive word and one which used in the workplace has even led to disciplinary action. Nevertheless, it is an important part of the lexicon of picketers and very effective when used properly!
So what are “scabs” and what motivates them?
Circular No. IR/170/09, 29th May 2009
NOTICE OF FURTHER STRIKE ACTION
I can confirm that the General Grades Committee has brought forward and extended the next period of strike action in support of the above dispute. The one day stoppage previously called for over 17th and 18th June is now called off and full details of the revised stoppage are given below.
From Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary
Dear Colleague,
Some of you may have seen the editorial comment in the later editions of the Evening Standard on Thursday 21st May attacking RMT members over the industrial action on the Victoria Line that day.
RMT have asked the Evening Standard for the right to reply. As yet, we have had no response. A copy of my letter to the Standard is attached and reprinted below. Please ensure that it is widely distributed.
A couple of messages of support from passengers for the Vic line strike ...
"Strike is the only way to get your voice heard! Stand up for your rights, and beyond that, for people and workers' rights in the UK. "Wake up UK!" A victoria line commuter
"I would like to support your action re the Correct Side Door Enabler." Shoaban Nair Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Officer
RMT press release, issued today.
RMT said this morning that train operators working out of the Seven Sisters depot, covering the Victoria Line, are rock solid in their support for a 24 hour strike which started at 9pm last night.
RMT paid tribute to its members who have been prepared to give up a second days pay in a fight to get correct door side operating equipment installed on the Victoria Line, a failsafe safety system that operates on every other line on the Underground, and in a stand against bullying and victimisation of RMT members and activists.