Author: Paul

Posted on

RMT welcomes Labour MP Dan Carden’s backing for Merseyrail guards

RMT welcomes Labour MP Dan Carden’s backing for Merseyrail guards in parliamentary debate

 

Rail union RMT has welcomed Labour MP Dan Cardens support for their fight to keep the guard on our trains. 

The Liverpool Walton Labour MPs has been a solid supporter of the guards and this week  Mr Carden secured a special parliamentary debate to press the case to keep a guard on every train.

The following is a extract from a wide-ranging speech from the MP.

“Despite several days of strike action, the public still overwhelmingly back the guards. The entire trade union movement and the north-west TUC support the guards, and the Labour party’s policy is clear: to oppose any extension of DOO. The Welsh Government have now guaranteed a guard on every train for future franchises, and Scotland has made similar long-term arrangements. The shadow Secretary of State wrote to train operators last week to tell them that a Labour Government would halt any plans to extend DOO. Merseytravel’s former chairman, Mark Dowd, remains fully opposed to removing the guards, saying that “common sense should prevail”.

As a result of issues raised in the debate the union has now written to the Metro Mayor seeking an urgent meeting. 

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said,

“Our members are absolutely delighted at the solidarity Labour MP Dan Carden has shown with their cause through securing this parliamentary debate.

At the same time his debate has also seen constructive proposals put forward to resolve the dispute which will benefit passenger service and safety”. 

Posted on

Political School

Attendance on the Political School is intended to equip participants with a sound understanding of the political role of trade unions, the RMT’s political activity and our international work. Students on the course will consider how Branches and Regions can most effectively support national campaigns and develop local campaigning initiatives.

 

The Political School takes place mostly at the RMT National Education Centre at Doncaster, but also includes a trip to the UK Parliament at Westminster, with students staying overnight in Central London. The course is delivered by the union’s Political Officer, with the assistance of guest speakers, as well as MPs from our parliamentary group.

 

This residential school takes place twice a year, with the next one scheduled to run between Sunday 18 March and Friday 22 March 2018. Participants will be expected to arrive by the early evening of 18 March in Doncaster to meet fellow students at an evening buffet. The course will conclude in London on the morning of 22 March.

 

Branches are invited to now nominate one representative to attend the school. In doing so, please ensure that your nominee will definitely be able to attend the school. In the event of applications exceeding places available, the National Executive Committee will determine the successful applicants.

 

With regards to what information a nominee should provide in support of an application to participate on this course, the NEC has reached the following decision:

 

“This school is particularly beneficial to Branch and Regional Council Chairs, Secretaries and Officers and also members who already completed level one courses. All applications will however continue to be treated on their merits and the application form should be updated to obtain more information on the applicant’s union activity, previous courses attended, union positions held and reasons for attending the school.”

 

Please complete and return the attached form to nominate a representative and return by Thursday 30 November to the Policy Department based in our Head Office.

 

171121jcgb(PolSchool_AppForm)

 

Posted on

RMT SLAMS CHRIS GRAYLING

RMT SLAMS CHRIS GRAYLING’S “MISLEADING, DAMAGING AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED” LETTER TO MP’S OVER RAIL SAFETY DISPUTES

 

RAIL UNION RMT today slammed a letter sent to MP’s by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling over the on-going guard’s safety disputes as “a wholly misleading work of fiction that damages the prospects of reaching a negotiated with the train companies for clearly politically motivated reasons.”

In a letter to Mr Grayling, in response to his MP’s letter, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash says:

Dear Chris

 

GTR Dispute

 

Further to your letter to MP’s on the 25th October to MP’s I am writing to you regarding your claims within that letter.

 

It is abundantly clear to passengers that it is your proposals under the strategic direction of your Department to remove the train guard from railway services on Southern, Northern, Greater Anglia, Merseyrail and South Western railways that is preventing the companies from reaching safe and effective agreements with the RMT.

 

I do not say this lightly and a number of train operating companies are privately indicating to me that that you are sabotaging the deals that in normal circumstances they would be able to make.

 

My concerns are reinforced by the fact that since you have become the Secretary of State similar offers made by other rail companies namely Transpennine Express, East Coast and Great Western were all agreed under your predecessor Patrick McLoughlin.  Since you became Secretary of State you have prevented any such agreements.

 

I would also point out that my union has been able to reach agreement on new trains and keeping the Guard on Scottish rail services, assisted by the involvement of the Scottish Government and also on Welsh rail services assisted by the Welsh Government.  The fact that we can reach agreements with the Scottish and Welsh governments but not your government only reinforces my concern that you are simply rejecting out of hand any deal and in doing so putting anti- union politics before passengers.

 

I would be grateful if we could meet to discuss these concerns at the earliest opportunity.

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said:

 

“This letter from Chris Grayling nails down once and for all the core fact that it’s the Government who are imposing Driver Only Operation on the train operators and who are directing the attack on Britain’s train guards from the centre.  Instead of allowing normal industrial relations to run their course the train companies are boxed in by central diktat from Chris Grayling and the DfT.

 

“When it comes to the reasons for the current disputes Mr Grayling’s letter is a wholly misleading work of fiction that damages the prospects of reaching a negotiated with the train companies for clearly politically motivated reasons. The next phase of planned strike action is solely about the safety of the travelling public and the staff that they rely on and Mr Grayling knows that, he should give up his bogus claims and allow the talks process to get back underway”.

 

“This unprecedented political interference explains why RMT has been able to reach negotiated settlements over the guards and the method of train dispatch in Scotland and Wales, where responsibility is devolved, but have had the door slammed in our face in England when it comes to any meaningful talks.

 

“Chris Grayling’s letter to MP’s shows that the Government are driving the current rail disputes for their own politically-motivated reasons. That damaging and dangerous behaviour needs to stop right now and normal industrial relations should be reinstated.”

Posted on

Special Company Council, Tube Lines TUPE

Special Company Council, Tube Lines TUPE Consultation,

Thursday 26TH October 2017,

 

Commencing at 10.00 ER Meeting Room, 7th Floor, Palestra

Present

 

Martin Coppen, Head of AP JNP

David Swygart, ER TfL

Jackie May, HR TLL

John Leach, RMT

Russ Clark, RMT

Bill Teale, RMT

Paul O’Brien, RMT

Kelly Berry, RMT

Kyle Dempsey, RMT

Mark Langridge, RMT

Gary Clements, RMT

Terry Wilkinson, FTO, ASLEF

Stephen Wakefield ASLEF

Hugh Roberts, FTO UNITE

Dave Morgan, UNITE

Patricia O’Donoghue, UNITE

Bernie Horsley, UNITE

Maggie Hayes, TSSA Observer

Gene Walton TSSA

Madelene Bellingham, HR TFL

 

Apologies for absence:

Brian Whitehead RMT

Ben Stevenson, Organiser TSSA

 

 

Commenced: 10:02am

 

  1. Welcome and Introductions
  2. Minutes from previous meeting.
  3. Issues Log

Issue log worked through and responses clarified and closed unless marked otherwise.

 

Ref No.10 Can early sight be provided

 

Consultation on the proposal is likely to begin on 7 November 2017.

 

  • Staff briefings for will begin on Tuesday 7 November
  • There is a large number of people who could potentially be in scope – operational roles are not in scope
  • Areas carrying out reviews:

 

LU Establishment Planning

LU Renewals and Enhancements

LU Senior Manager Admin

LU Skills Development

LU Network Operations Admin

LU Asset Operations

 

  • Other Areas listed

 

TFL Major Projects Directorate

TFL Engineering

TFL HSE

 

  • Trade union representatives covered by the relevant forums for consultation will be invited to these briefings.

 

RMT wanted it made clear that they intend to resist this change and that the same is being said at the equivalent LU meeting.

 

Ref No. 45 Have any contracts been issued between 16 and 29 October

 

Zero contracts issued.

 

Ref No. 46 PPE Manager role

 

The role has been withdrawn as it is one position that is impacted by transformation.  Going forward the post may not exist.

 

RMT we don’t except this we think management should have continued with due process.

 

DS advised that a closed consultation letter will have the revised headcount at the time of transfer.

 

Ref No. 47 Will first aider payments apply retrospectively to the value of TLL

 

LU have advised the LU payment is £200.  RMT wanted to know whether those coming up for payment in November would be receiving the TLL rate at £250?  Confirmation given that it will be at the LU rate of £200.

 

RMT advised they intend to come back on this item as they were not happy.

 

RMT wanted to know about TRACS award for being safe?  Response given that anything due by 29/10/17 will be paid, at present we have only been made aware of Track and Vents.

 

  1. Additional questions/Feedback:

RMT wanted to know for clarity, the TLES vacancies gets advertised and they are offered a job would they get LU T’s and C’s what SPC rate would they be paid?  The advice is if they were transferred then the TLL rate would apply.  If they apply for a position then they would receive a LU contract and the LU SPC rate.

UNITE asked with LU contracts would the come under the LU attendance at work policy?  JM advised yes and as their service is continuous.

RMT wanted to know what was the limitation of transfer e.g. ATM’s HDP in Engineering?  MC advised if they transfer then they retain the TLL T’s and C’s.  If they were to apply for the position then they would be issued with an LU contract with LU T’s and C’s.  TFL MPD are going through their own transformation.

JM advised recruitment campaigns going forward will be managed by TFL recruitment consultants.  We have a meeting in the diary for next week to discuss Transplant.

DS advised if the roles in TLL don’t exist in LU then they will be paid at the TLL salary with LU T’s and C’s.

RMT wanted to know what was happening with Transplant?  MC advised they would eventually transfer to Renewals and Enhancement, currently led by Lincoln Ofakansi

RMT wanted to know if Transplant would still be part of the TLL machinery?  MC advised yes.

  1. Communications to date

– Everyone is due to receive a welcome letter over the coming days.

– There is a meeting in the diary for next Tuesday to close out any issues that may come up post transfer.

– A conference call is due to take place next Thursday.

 

RMT requested time off for their local representatives to allow for them to feedback.  This was agreed.

 

Unions advised to expect a letter in the coming days confirming transfer to take place on 29 Oct.

 

  1. Next meeting

10am Tuesday 31st October 2017, (ER Meeting Room) 7th Floor Waterloo Meeting Room, 7G4, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, Southwark London SE1 8NJ.

End: 10:30am

Posted on

DRIVER ONLY OPERATION (DOO)

DRIVER ONLY OPERATION (DOO)

 

Further to my Circular No IR/252/16 dated the 24th August 2016 with regards to the above matter and where I informed you of the union’s national campaign to defend the role of the Guard and our fight against the further spread of Driver Only Operation. I can now advise you that I have received the following resolution from our Newcastle Rail & Catering Branch:

 

“This Branch commends all RMT members who have taken solid and determined industrial action in defence of the roles and responsibilities of the Guard. Their sacrifice has been for the safety of the travelling public and for ensuring the rail network is accessible to all especially the disabled and the vulnerable.

 

In the face of overwhelming opposition from a vicious Tory Government who are determined to implement the McNulty report and crush our union and propose to ban us from taking legitimate industrial action by refusing our right to withdraw our labour. They have been aided by the mainstream media who have trivialised and miss reported and out right lied over the facts of this dispute as well as the Train Operating Companies that have bullied, bribed and lied to our members. We stand head and shoulders about the entire British trade union movement in our resoluteness to fight attacks on all railway workers and must continue to do so.

 

However a victory for DOO at any train operating company poses a grave threat to the guard’s grade nationally. Unity with other rail unions can no longer be relied upon in the struggle against DOO the RMT must be prepared to fight this battle alone.

 

Therefore this branch calls on the RMT National Executive Committee to continue to fight industrially and politically against DOO. There should be no selling out our members or sweet heart deals done behind closed doors. The fight for the role and responsibilities of the guard and a safe and accessible railway for all must continue.”

 

The matter has been considered by the union’s National Executive Committee and their decision is as follows:

 

“This NEC welcomes and completely agrees with the resolution rom our Newcastle Rail & Catering Branch.

 

 

Our campaign to stop the introduction and extension of DOO is one of the most important in the history of our union.

 

We currently have separate industrial disputes with 5 TOCs on this issue.  These different disputes have their own dynamics, and we are dealing with them all separately.

 

We are, however, also following union policy decided by our 2013 AGM decision, which stated:

 

‘This Conference …condemns the McNulty report as an attack on all railway workers, especially on the role of the guard…. We therefore call on the General Secretary to consider coordinated strike action where McNulty threatens job losses within any train operating companies.’

 

We reaffirmed this in our decision 1309 of 9th August 2017, which said:

 

‘This National Executive Committee reiterates that all industrial action in defence of the role of the guard will continue to remain coordinated where practically possible, and this National Executive Committee remains committed to consulting the wider membership on strike dates whilst adopting the same strategy of coordinating action against train-operators intent on driving through the introduction and extension of DOO’

 

In order to make our campaign more effective, we instruct the General Secretary to:-

 

  • Seek donations from Regional Councils, branches, and members to our national dispute fund, to support our members taking strike action in these disputes.
  • Write to the wider Labour and Trade Union movement for support in our campaign, including financial support.
  • Report back to us with further proposals for raising funds for the national dispute fund, including the possibility of a levy on Regional Councils and branches.
  • Report back to us with proposals for a one-off solidarity payment in January to those who take strike action in these disputes.

 

We further instruct the General Secretary to arrange for the Lead Officers, and Guards Company Council Chairs and Secretaries of Merseyrail, Arriva Rail North, Greater Anglia, Southern, and South Western Railway to meet with himself, the Senior Assistant General Secretary,  and the NEC as soon as practicable.

 

We note that a new Train Crew newsletter is being produced, which will of course be about the campaign against DOO. We instruct the General Secretary to distribute this to Regional Councils, branches, and to all traincrew members.

 

All Regional Councils and branches to be advised. All traincrew members to be informed by email.”

 

Our position has always been that the Guard should be in full operational control of the doors and has a vital safety role for passengers and the railway in general. The union continues to gain public support through intense leafleting, holding successful public meetings and educating the general public and politicians about the safety role of the Guard and the importance of retaining these staff on passenger rail services.

Posted on

TUBE CHAOS ON PICCADILLY LINE

TUBE CHAOS ON PICCADILLY LINE DUE TO CUTS TO TRACKSIDE MANAGEMENT AND FLOGGING OFF SPECIALIST LATHE

 

TUBE UNION RMT today demanded that London Underground halt and reverse maintenance cuts and key asset sales after if emerged that reductions in vegetation management and the flogging off of a key piece of kit were major factors in the “wheel flats” fleet crisis that has dogged services on the Piccadilly Line for a number of years. RMT is warning that the next round of cuts being lined up to the TFL budget could unleash similar travel chaos but on an even wider scale.

A London Travel Watch Report into leaves on the line and the subsequent impact on braking systems shows that cuts have been a major factor in the Piccadilly Line fleet issues:

“The change in the vegetation maintenance regime from 2014 onwards is the obvious reason for this. However, it is surprising that unlike other ‘open air’ sections of London Underground railway (and Network Rail) that there was no Rail Adhesion Track activity on this route, given the volume of passengers using it and its strategic importance to London.

 

It also reveals that the flogging off of a key piece of kit to a private train operator has also had a significant impact:

 

“The consultants’ report also does not mention the sale of one of London Underground’s wheel lathes in 2015 to Abellio Greater Anglia to help them deal with a similar problem on their rural diesel multiple units. This effectively impaired London Underground’s ability to repair any damage being done to its own fleet and therefore more of their trains were unavailable for use.”

 

Strong and co-ordinated campaigning by RMT depot and driver members has forced London Underground to begin addressing the Piccadilly Line issues but the union is warning that the aging fleet, combined with future cuts that the union knows are in the pipeline, could tip the service back into crisis at any time.

 

Open air sections of London Underground need to be kept clear and clean, especially of leaves during the Autumn. Otherwise moisture and organic material make the tracks slippery, triggering automatic braking mechanisms on some older rolling stock such as on the Piccadilly Line trains. Excessive braking causes the wheels to lose their shape and become flattened. Those wheels then need to be lathed back into shape impacting on fleet availability, capacity and passengers’ journeys.

 

RMT is appalled that at the same time as this problem was being raised by the union London Underground was selling off a wheel lathe to the private company Abellio Greater Anglia which needed the kit to address exactly the same wheel flats problem, compounding the crisis on the tube.

 

Mick Cash, General Secretary of the RMT transport union, said:

 

“RMT has been warning for years that short term, politically-motivated budget cuts have long term implications for reliability and safety.  The Travel Watch examination of the Piccadilly Line crisis proves that we were right. What tube bosses were doing selling off key bits of kit to private rail companies like Arthur Daley in some back-street lock up at the very height of this crisis is beyond me.

 

“With billions of pounds worth of more cuts barrelling their way down the system, Londoners can expect more cancelled and delayed services if we don’t stand together in a united campaign to roll back the Government-sponsored assault on tube budgets.

 

“I want to pay tribute to RMT members across the Piccadilly Line who have stood strong against the cuts and who have been threatened and intimidated in the past for making that stand. That culture of trying to shut down the whistle blowers has no part on a modern and safe railway. RMT’s campaign against the tube cuts goes on.”

Posted on

National Demonstration against Fees and Cuts November 15th 2017

National Demonstration against Fees and Cuts November 15th 2017

The National Campaign Against Fees & Cuts is a network of student and education worker activists, founded in 2010. Since then, the NCAFC has helped activists on campuses up and down the country organise direct action against tuition fees, education cuts and wider cuts to public services.

 

In the wake of the government defeat on tuition fees, the NCAFC has called a major demonstration to demand the abolition of tuition fees.

 

Free education accessible to everyone is within our reach. By taking action in our thousands, we can seize it now.

 

March with them on 15th November: for an end to tuition fees, for living grants, and for an education system that serves people not profit. Already over 50 universities and colleges are mobilising for this event.

 

They will march from Malet Street WC1E 7HX in the heart of the University of London from 1.00pm down Kingsway towards Shaftesbury Avenue, passing Picturehouse Central where workers are striking for the Living Wage, and down Whitehall to Parliament Square

 

Please bring this circular to member’s attention and make every effort to attend.

 

Posted on

RMT Circular 26th October 2017

Dear Colleagues,

 

PROPOSED TUPE TRANSFER OF AP JNP (TUBE LINES) TO LONDON UNDERGROUND LTD (LUL/15/10)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/431/17, 28th September 2017), it is now confirmed that on Sunday 29th October all AP JNP staff, approximately 1900 employees, will transfer into London Underground under TUPE. On this day, AP JNP members will be on their previous rates of pay, contract and terms and conditions and all AP JNP policies, procedures and agreements will continue to apply.

 

However, soon after the transfer has taken place, LUL will review and seek to reorganise its maintenance activities under the wider Transformation programme and these discussions are expected to commence in early November. As you would expect, this will involve in-depth discussions and negotiations with the Lead Officer and Reps from every affected function in attendance. The process is likely to take some time but be assured that RMT will of course remain vigilant and be fully involved throughout.

 

Any future proposals will of course be subject to full consultation with all affected members and any movement by the Company to threaten any member’s job security or our hard fought for agreements will be resisted by this Union by all means at our disposal up to and including industrial action if necessary.

 

At this early stage there are few details but as all members will now be back in-house under one public sector company we will be in a strong collective position going forward. Also RMT was always opposed to the private-public-partnership which led to Tube Lines in the first place and this transition finally brings that chapter to an end.

 

PAY PARITY, TRANSPLANT MAINTENANCE/STORES STAFF – TUBE LINES (AP JNP) (LUL/10/2)

 

The following resolution was recently received from our LU Fleet Branch:-

 

“LU Fleet Branch calls upon the NEC to seek a formal dispute resolution to the following failure to agree at Tube Lines Company Council:-

 

  1. Pay parity for maintenance and stores staff with their fellow Transplant colleagues
  2. Train Preparation Payment

 

The members feel that they play a vital and pivotal role in the success and safe operation of the department and would like to seek an agreement that awards them parity with the rest of the unit.

 

We request that the NEC prepare a ballot for strike action and action short of a strike to resolve this dispute”.

 

The National Executive Committee welcomed the resolution and agrees that pay parity is justified for maintenance and stores staff. In line with the NEC decision, the Company has been informed that a dispute situation exists between us over this issue and I am currently making preparations to conduct a ballot for industrial action amongst affected members.

Posted on

RMT Equality Courses

RMT’s first ever Disabled Members’ weekend course will be taking place at the National Education Centre in Doncaster on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 March 2018. This will be a chance for disabled members to learn how the union works, to get more involved, to raise the issues that concern us as disabled members, and to meet other disabled RMT members. It will benefit both the individual participants and the union as a whole as we continue to develop and strengthen our disabled members’ organisation.

 

Please think about which members of your branch would benefit from attending this course. Bear in mind that disabled members include those with invisible impairments such as dyslexia and illnesses such as cancer, as well as more apparent physical impairments.

The course is fully funded by the union, so trainees will have accommodation, food and all course materials provided, and travel costs and lost wages will be refunded by the union. The registration form includes the opportunity to request any adjustments or provisions that will help to make the course more accessible for participants.

Other disability-related training courses (all run Monday-Friday for one week) at the National Education Centre in Doncaster next year are open to all members and include:

  • 15-19 January / 23-27 April / 17-21 September: Equality at Work
  • 12-16 March: Cancer in the Workplace
  • 11-15 June: Disability in the Workplace
  • 25-29 June: Mental Health
  • 2-6 July: Autism in the Workplace

 

Download the application form for any of these courses here:

 

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/national-course-application-form-2018/

 

RELATED NEWS

Archives