Author: Paul

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ROLL OUT OF COVID 19 LATERAL FLOW TESTING – IMPLICATIONS FOR RMT MEMBERS

ROLL OUT OF COVID 19 LATERAL FLOW TESTING – IMPLICATIONS FOR RMT MEMBERS
 
Following concerns raised about the efficacy of Network Rail’s Lateral Flow Testing process, at its meeting on 21st January, your National Executive Committee (NEC) noted and adopted the report (below) of its Health and Safety Sub-committee.
 
At a further meeting on January 26th, your NEC noted a further report from the Regional Organiser and the concerns raised in regard to a member feeling slightly unwell at work and so opted to take one of the company’s flow tests which came up as negative. He therefore finished his shift at work.
 
His partner is an NHS employee who has such kits at home as they are required to test themselves twice weekly. So that same day, he took a second test with his partner’s equipment which proved positive. He then went and took an official site test which confirmed the positivity.
 
It is therefore clear that Network Rail testing kits might not suitable for purpose, that the staff carrying out the test may not be properly trained and/or Network Rail’s methods for testing are wanting.
 
I have been instructed to take account of these concerns when carrying out the earlier decision as below:
 
We note the report from the Regional Organiser.
 
The General Secretary is instructed to prepare an in-depth report on lateral flow and other workplace testing regimes to be placed in front of this NEC.
 
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TUSC Local Elections Conference

Don’t leave politics just to shades of the Establishment!*

 

Help build the anti-austerity challenge at the May elections.

Please visit the TUSC local elections conference Facebook event at

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/3230913573680139/

 

*Sunday, February 7th, 11:00 to 13:30*

Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82896595909?pwd=OVE5RjNmbjJJcG1vd0RxZ0JyQ2RkUT09

 

Meeting ID: 828 9659 5909
Passcode: On request

 

Those details will also be available on the Facebook event above and also the TUSC website at www.tusc.org.uk/events

 

 

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LUL Circular 29th January

AUTOMATIC TRAIN OPERATION TRAINING, SMA3, DISTRICT LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/11/2)
 
Further to my previous Circular (IR/007/1/21, 8th January 2021), the following resolution was received from Piccadilly & District West Branch:-
 
“This Branch notes that despite the RMT concerns over safety and preparedness, LU management decided to plough ahead with the operational proving weekend on the 9th and 10th January.
 
That weekend did not prove the railways readiness for automatic running or improved the readiness of the train operators for automatic running, it additionally saw numerous breaches of the covid guidance and regulations.
 
Despite this management plan to go “live” on the 6th March 2021!
 
It is unacceptable to our members, that training has not been agreed, that support has not been agreed, and as such, going live should be postponed until all train operators along with signalers and support technicians are fully trained and ready.
 
Our Regional Organiser has written to LU demanding that this project be postponed until such time all training can be carried out safely and to the standard of other similar line projects.
 
This Branch demands that written confirmation that the going live of SMA3 be delayed, in line with this resolution, (until all training and confidence trips are complete in the SMA3 area) if this is not received in a timely fashion, we call on the General Secretary to declare a dispute and ballot all affected members for strike action and action short of strike”.
 
This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which has noted the resolution and is appalled that London Underground ignored the warnings given to them by RMT, our Officer and Reps and went ahead with an SMA3 proving weekend. This exercise was a farce with multiple serious health and safety breaches that our reps have raised with London Underground.
 
In addition to serious operational safety breaches the exercise caused many members to attend work unnecessarily during the Covid pandemic and many breaches of social distancing were observed. These too have been raised by our reps with management.
 
I previously wrote to LUL on 8th January to demand the postponement of non-essential proving work on the SMA3 project and in line with the NEC decision, I have now written to the Company again to advise that a dispute situation exists over its refusal to suspend the roll out of SMA3.
 
I have also arranged to meet with the Lead Officer and Reps, along with the SAGS and NEC regarding this issue and I will of course keep Branches advised of all further developments.
 
Yours sincerely
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TRANSPORT WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS

RMT launches TRANSPORT WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS campaign as threats of pay freezes and job cuts surface
TRANSPORT UNION RMT said today that it will be launching a fresh wave of campaigning under the banner TRANSPORT WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS as threats of pay freezes and possible attacks on jobs and conditions emerged in Government briefings over the weekend.
The new campaign, which will be rolled out through a high profile advertising blitz on social media and in press ads, will tie in with work being carried out through the TUC and an alliance of unions designed to halt the threat of pay freezes and cuts to standards of living across Britain’s public services and public sector in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
RMT says it would be a kick in the teeth for transport workers, staff who have kept Britain’s essential workers and freight moving for the past year whilst being disproportionately and heavily exposed to the virus in the process, were to be repaid with a hit to their living standards and livelihoods.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“Today, transport workers who are risking their lives keeping our country moving have found out they have been stabbed in the back by the Government who have extended  the public sector pay freeze to the transport sector whilst at the same time it’s business as usual for the private companies who will continue to be able to rake in profits.
“RMT will have no hesitation in supporting national coordinated action to deliver our members the pay rise they deserve.”
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Transport Worker Safety Forum

RMT statement on Labour’s call for Government to convene transport worker Covid Safety forum
 
Commenting on Labour’s call for the Government to convene a transport worker Covid-19 safety forum with unions and operators, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
 
“RMT welcomes Labour’s demands for the Government to convene a transport industry forum with unions and operators to ensure transport workers’ safety during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“An industry wide approach is already embedded in the rail sector, and RMT has long called for this to be extended to the bus sector, where it is clear that the lack of an industry wide approach continues to put bus workers at risk.
 
“The recent ONS figures which showed that male bus, coach and taxi drivers have a heighted risk of death from Covid-19 are a tragic reminder of the risks that frontline transport workers continue to face and should be a wake-up call to Government and operators that they need to take action to protect these key workers.
 
“A survey of RMT bus worker members, published just days ago found that nearly 70% of bus workers felt that their employer had put business priorities before safety during the pandemic.
 
“There can be no more excuses, the Government must establish a national bus industry coronavirus forum to ensure that bus workers and passengers are properly protected. The Government’s strategy must also include prioritising transport workers for the Covid-19 vaccine.” 
 
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Cross Rail speculation

RMT  demands Government stop using TFL and its workers as a political football
 
Responding to reports that the Capital’s Crossrail line could be mothballed without immediate funding transport union RMT today called on the Government to stop using TFL as a political football. 
 
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
 
“What’s happening between the Government and TFL is nothing short of a disgrace. As we approach next year’s London Mayoral Election it’s clear the Government are using TFL and our members as a political football and rather than stick to their pledge of “Building Back Better” they’re starving TFL of vital funds and playing games with worker’s livelihoods. 
 
“London transport and its workforce are vital to the economic recovery from Covid-19 and RMT will not be afraid to do whatever is necessary to protect our member’s jobs and livelihoods”
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New Inflation rates for year to October 2020

New Inflation rates for year to October 2020
 
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published inflation rates for the year to October 2020. The Retail Prices Index (RPI) has risen to 1.3%, which is 0.2% up on the year to September 2020. The alternative measures of CPI and CPIH were 0.7% (up 0.2%) and 0.9% (up 0.2%) respectively.
 
Your union’s policy is to use the RPI rate for all pay negotiations. Should an employer attempt to use alternative inflation measures during pay talks, please inform the National Policy department as soon as possible.
 
I would be grateful if you could bring the content of this circular to the attention of all members in your Branch.
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Undercover Policing Inquiry: Outrage at “Brick Wall of Silence”

Undercover Policing Inquiry: Outrage at “Brick Wall of Silence”

 

Outrage at wall of silence, watch video here

 

 

Last week, on the first day of the Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings, The Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance demonstrated over the “brick wall of silence”.

 

The “public” Inquiry is hearing evidence behind closed doors, with no access to the public – thousands of whom will have been spied on by the members of a political secret police unit that infiltrated over 2,000 left wing organisations and campaigns (but only 3 far-right ones) between 1968 and 2010.Join the growing pressure for activists to see the files held on them, for undercover police’s cover names to be revealed, and for a complete list of groups spied on – and get daily reports on the proceedings at the

 

Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance’s website.

Dave Smith from the Blacklist Support Group gave evidence to the inquiry this morning. In a blistering performance he:

 

  1. accused SpyCop Mark Jenner of interfering with the internal democratic process of trade union UCATT accused SpyCop Carlo Neri of deliberately attempting to entrap union members by inciting them to commit arson called on the Inquiry to force the police to publish the names of Special Branch ‘key industry contacts’
  2. called on the Inquiry to force the police to publish names of any trade union officials who supplied information to the police
  3. slammed the Inquiry for lacking transparency and being unaccessible
  4. accused the police of protecting big business and capitalism, not democracy

 

Click here to read Dave’s full statement

 

Click here to read Union News report

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LUEngineering APP – ‘My APP’ nears launch

The new LUEngineering APP and website is nearing its official launch and will be a replacement to our existing app and website.

 

We are in BETA testing and also updating text (hence why there is still some text filler, ‘Lorum Ipsum’) and content but thought people might like a quick look at the work we are doing.

 

We are looking to improve functionality to our APP and website and also introduce anonymous and confidential incident reporting that we believe will be beneficial to all our members especially those that are classified as vulnerable.

 

We want to engage and talk to our members and we hope that once working, that you will see it as an essential part of your trade union membership.

 

We also hope that it becomes a platform for other branches and grades to also produce further and more diverse ways to communicate with you all.

 

 

Sneak APP view

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Blacklist Support Group opening statement to public inquiry Tuesday 17th November

The Blacklist Support Group opening statement at the public inquiry to be delivered by Dave Smith has been rescheduled to take place at 10am Tuesday 17th November.  Smith’s original statement was postponed due to a legal challenge to the content of his speech and the inquiry chair has now made a  ruling on what is permitted to be said in the rescheduled opening statement.

 
The BSG opening statement will be live streamed and can be viewed via this link:
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Meet the General Secretary Candidates: Mick Lynch

Dear Friends,
Re: Nomination for election of RMT General Secretary
               
I am standing as a candidate in the forthcoming election for General Secretary and I would be honoured to receive your branch nomination.
 
The Covid-19 health crisis has amplified the many challenges we face.  The employers and the government will be seeking dilutions of pay & conditions, pensions, and health & safety standards in order to restore profits and make working people pay for the crisis.  They will also be seeking job cuts in our sectors.
 
Added to this are the existing challenges of new technology, outsourcing, and casualisation.
 
In the face of this, our members expect the RMT to be a united, professional and assertive union, ready to negotiate, but prepared to fight in order to protect them.
 
A united RMT is a powerful force capable of winning for our members. We can campaign, fight, and win as we have shown over the years. But our members need good campaigns they believe in, and will take action in support of their agenda.
 
In the period ahead we need to ensure that RMT is a strong and united Industrial Union that is entirely focused on our members’ needs rather than turning in on ourselves and being distracted from the real tasks our members need us to focus on.
 
Our union must evolve to suit the challenges before us.
 
We must develop our union so that we are fully suited to the campaigns ahead, but also so that we are vigorously engaged in the equality agenda – fighting racism, fighting discrimination.
 
We must bring forward new activists that reflect our diverse membership, our industrial sectors, and their real-life issues.
 
As General Secretary I will be fully committed to our members’ agenda, building and developing our union for the future, and bringing unity of purpose and action across the organisation.
 
I was blacklisted from the construction industry for trade union activity so joined the railway and RMT and my record is one of organising, building our strength, campaigning and negotiating good deals.
 
As an activist and elected RMT national official, I have always sought to do the best for our members and their causes. I believe I am a person that can bring our members together and take forward their campaigns and issues.
 
In my 42 years of trade union activism and as a national officer I have developed the ability and experience to articulate the RMT’s case and policies – in the branch room, at the negotiation table and in the broadcast media.
 
The members have to trust the union, believe in us and what we are doing. To identify with RMT from the shopfloor to the national leadership.
 
I believe that I am a national officer that unites RMT members across grades, sectors, regions and backgrounds.  Throughout my time as a trade union activist and officer, workers and members have trusted me to take their issues forward.
 
We are rightly proud that our members and activists have made RMT a leading force in the working-class movement.  We have shown the way through effective campaigns and industrial action, and by being a union that is brave enough to decide its own independent political outlook.
 
Our members have shown courage and commitment to their union and I am committed to RMT being at the service of our members and that the RMT can go on to further success – to grow and to win.
 
But that needs maximum unity in our ranks – all grades, all sectors.  A united RMT can go on to achieve much more for our members.
 
I hope that as General Secretary I can play my part for this great union and in the campaigns ahead. I have the skills, knowledge and experience that members can trust in the times ahead and to take this union forward.
 
Therefore, I would be grateful if your branch would consider my name for nomination as RMT General Secretary.
 

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