Author: Paul

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14th June RMT Circular

14th June 2017                                                                         Circular No: IR/247/17

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

FIXED TERM CONTRACTS, WORKSHOP STAFF, PICCADILLY LINE – TUBE LINES (LUL/13/2)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/215/17, 24th May 2017), members will recall the dispute situation over Tube Lines’ intention to recruit 35 new staff to work in workshops on the Piccadilly Line on a 2 year fixed term contract. The Union is opposed to this introduction of a two-tier workforce as it will impact upon job security and represents a casualisation of current members’ work. The Union’s position is that all new staff within the Company should be directly employed permanent staff.

The ballot papers will be posted to affected Tube Lines members at Northfields Depot and Cockfosters Depot today and the closing date for the ballot is Tuesday 4th July 2017. If any member does not receive their ballot paper, please ask them to call the Freephone helpline on 0800 376 3706, the switchboard on 0207 387 4771 or e-mail info@rmt.org.uk to request a replacement.

DISCIPLINARY, L. CORNELL, S. SOUISSI & D. SHARP – LONDON BRIDGE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/4)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/204/17, 17th May 2017), the ballot has concluded and the results are as follows:-

The result for strike action is as follows:-

 Number of members balloted…             3,743

Total Votes Cast…                                 1,290 (34.4% turnout)

Number Voting ‘Yes’…                          1,039 (80% but only 28% of members balloted)

Number Voting ‘No’…                           249

Spoilt Papers                                        2

 The 40% and 50% thresholds were both not met.

 The result for action short of strike is as follows:-

 Number of members balloted…             3,743

Total Votes Cast…                                 1,290 (34.4% turnout)

Number Voting ‘Yes’…                          1,112 (86.7% but only 30% of members balloted)

Number Voting ‘No’…                           171

Spoilt Papers                                        7

The 40% and 50% thresholds were both not met.

As you will see from the above, the ballot returned a definite ‘yes’ vote in favour of taking industrial action but the result does not meet the new legal thresholds for turnouts where 50% of members balloted must cast their vote and 40% of members balloted must vote ‘yes’. This means that regrettably, we do not have a mandate to call members to take any industrial action.

It is now more important than ever that EVERY MEMBER RETURNS THEIR VOTING PAPER to make sure that we are not prevented from acting on members’ wishes by the draconian anti-trade union laws.

This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee and I am currently acting in accordance with its decision to seek release and arrange a meeting of all LU Stations IR and H&S Reps. I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

PROPOSED TRANSFER OF ENGINEERING, MAJOR PROJECTS, PMO AND CHANGE DELIVERY ACTIVITY FROM LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED (LUL) TO TRANSPORT FOR LONDON (TFL) (TFL/15/10)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/156/17, 5th April 2017), further discussions have taken place with the Company and this matter was referred to ACAS last month but the National Executive Committee has noted reports that there are issues which are still not rectified. As a result, the NEC has taken the decision to prepare a ballot matrix of all affected London Underground members in both APD & CPD, advise the Company that we are now in dispute over the issues and proceed to a ballot for industrial action if no resolution to this unsatisfactory situation is agreed.

I am currently acting in accordance with this decision and will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

Yours sincerely

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PROPOSED TRANSFER OF ENGINEERING, MAJOR PROJECTS, PMO AND CHANGE DELIVERY ACTIVITY FROM LUL TO TfL

PROPOSED TRANSFER OF ENGINEERING, MAJOR PROJECTS, PMO AND CHANGE DELIVERY ACTIVITY FROM LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED (LUL) TO TRANSPORT FOR LONDON (TFL)

Folloiwng LUL’s decision to renege on agreements reached at Tube Lines and Metronet for staff that had been transferred into LUL previously, the RMT have decided that it will not just accept this decision. The General Secretary has sent the branch the following letter.

Further to my letter dated 7th June regarding the above. This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which has taken the following decision:-

“We note the reports from the Lead Officer and that there are issues still not rectified.

 We instruct the General Secretary to prepare a ballot matrix of all affected London Underground members in both APD & CPD, advise the company we are now in dispute; to refer this matter to ACAS and proceed to a ballot for industrial action if no resolution to this unsatisfactory situation is agreed.

 Members to be advised by e-mail and text.

 Relevant Branches and the London Transport Regional Council to be advised”.

I am currently acting in accordance with the above decision and will keep you advised of all further developments.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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LUL Engineering TUPE to TfL

Dear ALL,

We met with LUL on the 1st June in a stormy discussion regarding the proposed transfer of 1600 staff into TfL Engineering Directorates.

The RMT reiterated its opposition to this cost cutting change and our commitment to ensuring that our members are protected and their terms and conditions are not affected adversely by this change.

Below are the major areas that were discussed in summary.

  1. Pensions – The RMT stated that the proposed measure to move to Pay for Performance (PfP) will not be supported and want existing staff to remain within their existing LUL Pay Terms and Bands.  We believe that PfP will adversely impact on pensionable pay and future earnings and destroy the Pension Promise made to people on a yearly basis when they receive a pension statement showing what they are likely to receive when they retire.
  2. Functional Council Membership – LUL are fully aware that people have been removed from this TUPE because they are in Operational Grades. This has happened in Fleet, Track and Signals and in Stations & Civils (Lift & Escalators). The removal of people from scope and changing their reporting lines is a change to terms and conditions and a discussion matter for the Trade Unions. For example, the SES Group with its standing Tier 1 Rep is mainly made up of managers that are being TUPE’d. However the whole section sits in Track and Signals and therefore is part of our sphere of influence. These talks affect us all
  3. Collective Agreements – LUL have stated that collective agreements will not transfer but contractual terms and conditions will.  The RMT have massive concerns around this statement and demand clarity as to the specifics of the Metronet and TLL agreements that are considered to be contractual. This statement involves all staff that were transferred from Metronet and Tube Lines and will not go unchallenged. If people believe that we will see our hard won agreements shredded and binned, then they are deluded. Unless we hear positively on this issue, then we will potentially have a dispute involving nearly 4000 people across this TUPE and former Metronet and Tube Lines areas.
  4. Terms and Conditions – We want a full list of individual contract variations provided to us. We want to see exactly what terms LUL believe people have so that we may we challenge and correct this belief. Also, LUL have to provide this information to TfL by TUPE law so they should have this information to hand
  5. H&S – The RMT have continually stated that we believe that there must be discussion regarding Health and Safety. The should be changes potentially that are reflected by a Change Assurance Plan and we must make sure that safety is paramount. We have asked to see all the meeting minutes and inspections that TfL have carried out with its Trade Union Reps.
  6. EQIA – Throughout this whole process, we have stated that we believe minority and women may well be adversely affected by this transfer. What is there to hide and do a EQIA and let’s all see how this affects equality and diversity?
  7. Hidden Measures – We are concerned that there is more to this transfer than is being said. It looks obvious that this is just Phase 1 and that other people may well follow such as Operational Staff in Fleet, Track and Signals and Stations and Civils

It must also be said that this transfer involves far more people and areas than has been described by the company business case. This aspect needs to be fully explored and anyone not in this scope should not transfer. We believe that there has been a ‘land grab’ to get people into TfL and we will do our own ‘land grab’ to get them back!

 

The next Branch Meeting for LU Engineering Branch is 7th June at the Savoy TUP 17:00. If you are affected then please attend and give us your views.

 

https://www.luengineeringrmt.co.uk/branch-meetings-2/

 

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Renewed terror threat – RMT calls for reversal of Tory manifesto proposals

Renewed terror threat – RMT calls for reversal of Tory manifesto proposals to abolish British Transport Police and for a halt to cuts to rail staff

 

Transport union RMT has today written to the Home Secretary Amber Rudd seeking an urgent meeting and urging her to abandon the proposal in the Tory manifesto to abolish the British Transport Police and calling on her to protect security on the transport network by halting cuts to frontline staff who are trained to help prevent a terrorist attack.

The union also said it was pure hypocrisy for ministers to praise transport police and rail staff one day and then cut them the next.

The call follows the union’s demands last week for an urgent security summit to discuss security on the transport network. RMT has also made it clear that there are a number of specific safety and security issues on London Underground that it wants addressed as a matter of urgency and which have been raised with senior LU managers.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said,

“Rail staff are the eyes and ears of the rail network who are especially trained to help prevent terrorist attacks yet one day the government is praising rail workers as heroes and next day they are cutting rail workers- it is not only hypocrisy it is also pure folly.”

“On top of this the Tory manifesto is proposing to abolish the British Transport Police. Not only will this increase the terrorist threat by diluting a specialist police operation on the railway it will also mean that the force will be subject to a major reorganisation and no doubt cuts when it should be focusing on the terrorist threat.

We are repeating calls for an urgent security summit and seeking an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary.”

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Blacklist Support Group – Vote for a public inquiry into blacklisting and workers rights

  1. The Labour Manifesto pledges to hold a full public inquiry into blacklisting whereas Theresa May has repeatedly refused to set up a public inquiry when she was Home Secretary. The polls indicate that the General Election is now a 2 horse race between Labour and the Tories, therefore the Blacklist Support Group is encouraging its supporters to vote for a public inquiry on June 9th and where possible to volunteer in the campaign.

 

BSG set up a video shoot with other rank & file union activists outside parliament and the Conservative Party HQ last week.

This is the outcome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTMdi8hLEeE

Share this video to support the campaign. The pop-up gig by Steve White & The protest family on the steps on Tory Party Central office has also started a Guerrilla Gig Challenge amongst musicians – if you know any band that has performed a political slot in the street or outside a hustings, post a video on social media using the hashtag #GE2017GuerrillaGigChallenge

 

While at the gig outside Tory Party Central Office, the Reel News photographer Guy Smallman managed to take photos of Steve Back leaving the Tory HQ, the photojournalist whose pictures have been used to smear Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell.

See here: https://www.facebook.com/ReelNews/posts/10155375652174605?pnref=story

 

  1. Our giant Corbyn banner has become a ‘thing’ in the campaign – after it appeared on the Kop and at Goodison, working class voters are flocking to be associated with the campaigns on it – Blacklisting – Hillsborough – Orgeave – Shrewsbury (plus Corbyn & McDonnell). Videos & photos are appearing all over social media  The iconic image is now available as a t-shirt with all proceeds going to food banks across Merseyside – great work by Roy Bentham who have been on Radio Merseyside and the Liverpool Echo.

T-shirts available from: http://hat-scarf-or-a-badge.com/epages/915e4285-c20f-4bb0-8d60-8ddcaf597b83.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectID=21040654

Associated media coverage:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/confident-scousers-plan-jeremy-corbyn-13126022

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jeremy-corbyn-says-labour-election-13122296

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/corbyn-special-message-liverpool-fans-13109175?service=responsive

 

  1. The fascist English Defence League were chased out of Liverpool at the weekend by over 1000 scousers and the Blacklist Support Group banner was proud to be in the middle of it. Photo attached.

 

  1. Shrewsbury Pickets Protest – 12 noon Wed 7th June

Criminal cases Review Commission

5 St Philip’s Place
Birmingham
B3 2PW

This is because of the CCRC reluctance to give a decision on whether of the not the case of the Shrewsbury Pickets is to go to the court of appeal. Campaigners have been told time and time again that a decision is imminent. The case of the Shrewsbury Pickets is 45 yrs old. There can be no place in our society for miscarriages of justice to go unchallenged.

 

  1. Spycops

New judge to take over at the undercover police inquiry due to the ill-health of Lord justice Pitchford.

http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2017/06/04/new-spycops-public-inquiry-chief-named/

 

Scottish police were seconded to work in the disgraced NPOIU undercover policing unit – little wonder campaigners complain about the police investigating themselves again – Full public inquiry needed in Scotland.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15326930.Confirmed__Scottish_police_were_seconded_to_disgraced_undercover_spy_unit/

 

  1. Solidarity videos form the heroic Reel News

LSE cleaners – fighting for equal rights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VJ2RXYLK2c

NHS protests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCbHEd2O6bQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk8H4Yg2Ckc

 

7.And finally;

‘Liar Liar’ by Captain Ska – the song banned by the BBC has become the soundtrack to the general election and is number 4 in the charts – enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxN1STgQXW8

 

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcgrNs6pB8

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

 

 

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SPEAKERS & ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCED – RMT / Cuba Solidarity Campaign 15th Garden Party

SPEAKERS & ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCED – RMT / Cuba Solidarity Campaign 15th Garden Party

In association with the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, the 15th RMT Annual Garden Party for Cuba will take place on Wednesday 21st June 2017 at Maritime House, Clapham, London, commencing 7.00pm.

Tickets are now available and are £15 each. This includes a free bar, buffet and music. As usual we will be joined by a number of distinguished guest speakers including:

  • A representative of the Cuban embassy.
  • John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor
  • Ian Lavery, Shadow Minister for Trade Unions and Civil Society
  • Dave Ward, General Secretary Communication Workers Union
  • Kevin Courtney, joint General Secretary National Education Union

We will also be joined by comedian Mark Thomas who will be doing a brief set, along with the Omar Puente salsa band and the Alabama 3.

The Garden Party will provide a wonderful opportunity to show solidarity with Cuba with friends from across the Labour and Trade Union movement.

To order tickets if you are paying by card please call 0800 376 3706 or use the form attached.

I hope to be able to see you at the Garden Party on 21st June.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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24th May RMT Circular

FIXED TERM CONTRACTS, WORKSHOP STAFF, PICCADILLY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/13/2)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/193/17, 9th May 2017), the following resolution has been received from LU Fleet Branch:-

 

“This Branch resolved to call on the Union’s NEC to inform the Company that we are now in dispute regarding the intended implementation of a two tier workforce within Piccadilly Line Fleet, after talks with Tube Lines management aimed at resolving a dispute, it has become clear, management, directed by LUL are now willing to chop up our members long term job security by the imposition of 35 fixed term staff allocated to the Piccadilly Line.

 

After canvassing our members’ views, they have made clear that the casualisation of work carried out by our staff will not be tolerated. The Reps in conduit of its members therefore also resolve that the ballot matrix for fleet staff at Northfields and Cockfosters Depots is now prepared in effect to execute our members’ wishes that this issue is fought with the utmost determination, to include industrial action and industrial action short of a strike”.

 

This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which commends the view of the Branch to halt the attempted introduction of a two tier workforce and seek proper permanent employment for all future members joining the company. In line with the decision, I have informed the Company that a dispute now exists over this issue and I am making the necessary preparations to conduct a ballot of affected members. I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

 

BREACH OF CORE WORK AGREEMENT, CONTRACTING OUT AND USE OF SECONDARY SUBCONTRACTORS – FLEET GRADES – LUL (LUL/13/1)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/134/17, 27th March 2017), the National Executive Committee has consulted with the Lead Officer and LU Fleet Branch Reps concerning the latest correspondence from the Company and welcomes the offer from London Underground to pursue the matter with Bombardier and liaise with our Representatives.

 

In line with the NEC decision, I have informed the Company that this dispute is resolved subject to the commitments given. RMT will of course continue to monitor this situation and I will keep Branches advised of any further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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2017 General Election – Tory Manifesto proposals to attack rail workers right to strike

2017 General Election – Tory Manifesto proposals to attack rail workers right to strike 

 

I am writing to draw your attention to the following extract from the Conservative Party Manifesto.

“We will work with train companies and their employees to agree minimum service levels during periods of industrial dispute – and if we cannot find a voluntary agreement, we will legislate to make this mandatory.”

This proposal is a deliberate attack on your union. It is an attack on the right of rail workers to take effective strike action. It is intended to weaken us in our battle to defend jobs, safety and conditions of service.

Whilst the details of how this draconian proposals will work in practice are not ‎yet clear it will mean that even if members democratically vote for strike action that ballot will be undermined by the requirement to provide a “minimum” service.

This attack comes on top of the Tory Trade Union Act which recently came into force which as you know amongst other measures required higher ballot thresholds and a requirement for two weeks notice of action.

This latest proposals is particularly dangerous as it means that even when the union is able to legally overcome the various hurdles in balloting legislation that won’t be enough because there will still be a requirement to provide a “minimum service”.

Moreover whilst the proposals currently only apply to rail services they will no doubt be extended to other transport sectors and beyond.

These proposals will only be enacted if the Tories win the election‎.

We can stop them by campaigning to defeat the Tories in this election and instead help deliver a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn. Please do all you can to help achieve that goal.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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RMT’s Mick Cash welcomes Labours’ rail campaign day

RMT’s Mick Cash welcomes Labours’ rail campaign day

Welcoming Labours’ rail campaign day today, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“The Labour commitment to British state ownership of our railways will end the debacle of three quarters of our railways being foreign-owned and UK passengers being ripped off with the profits shipped abroad to support other country’s railways.

“Fair fares, proper investment,  a safely staffed and accessible railway and ending the expansion of driver only trains shows Labour is on the side of passengers while the Tories do the bidding of the fat cat rail companies.”

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LUL TUPE to TfL

The RMT are organising a meeting set up specifically for our members and LU employees who are in scope for the proposed LU TUPE to TfL, on

Wednesday 10th May, 12 noon, at Unity House, Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JD

Senior Reps and Officers will be attending what we consider as the first consultation meeting with management today along with the RMT full time officer John Leach, RMT Engineering Branch secretary Paul Jackson and the other MATS FC Rep Lorna Tooley, and the outcome of this meeting will be discussed at the said meeting.

Please do your best to attend the meeting and please spread the invitation to your colleagues who are also in scope.

 

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LGBT+ PRIDE EVENTS 2017

My ref: EO/16

2nd May 2017

Circular No. NP/66/17

 

TO: THE SECRETARY

ALL BRANCHES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

 

Dear Colleague,

 

LGBT+ PRIDE EVENTS 2017

 

LGBT+ Pride events are opportunities for us to promote the union and our campaigns as well as to show support and solidarity for our LGBT+ community.  Confirmed dates of Pride Parades this year include:

Birmingham    27th May

London            8th July

Brighton           5th August

Cardiff             26th August

RMT will be looking to maintain its presence at these events and I encourage all members to get involved and along with their friends and family.  So far arrangements made are as follows:

Birmingham Pride: Contact Ken Usher (k.usher@rmt.org.uk) meet at 11am, Saturday 27th May 2017, Victoria Square, Birmingham.

London Pride: Contact John Stack, (m: 07941 809262, johntube@me.com) meet at Unity House, 10.30am Saturday 8 July.

For any queries please contact our Equal Opportunities Officer, Jess Webb (j.webb@rmt.org.uk).

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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Blacklisting: General Election

Every political party in the General Election is claiming to be the voice of the workers. Blacklisted construction workers know the score.

 

  1. Labour pledges a public inquiry into blacklisting: That gets our vote!

http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php/workers/

This pledge was announced by John McDonnell in St.George’s Hall, Liverpool last week in front of the huge Blacklist Support Group banner.

 

  1. Article in today’s Morning Star exposing the failure of the ECGR and British courts to protect blacklisted workers and challenging political parties to grant basic employment rights to all workers in the UK. If workers rights cannot be protected by judges in the UK or the European Court of Human Rights then it is time to change statutory legislation.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-dc1a-No-blacklist-justice-for-Britains-agency-staff

 

  1. In the same week as the ECHR ruling above, blacklisted electrician Frank Morris, is sacked again. This time on an NHS hospital. Let’s hear candidates queue up to call for Frank Morris to be reinstated.

Reel News video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iKhQdLpUm4&t=129s

 

  1. Spycops

New 59 page ruling from the undercover police public inquiry. Releasing the cover names of undercover police officers who spied on activists is a ‘priority’ but Lord Justice Pitchford allows Met Police another 12 months extension to carry out ‘risk assessments’ in preparation for more anonymity applications. But the police are not engaged in ‘delaying tactics’, oh no.

https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/20170502-ruling-MPS-applications-re-SDS.pdf

Victims boycott Scottish police internal investigation

http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2017/05/03/spycops-victims-boycott-scottish-inquiry/

Scottish activist spied on by police seeks judicial review to win a Scottish inquiry

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/undercover-policing-scotland/

Other than John McDonnell and Jenny Jones, most politicians have been surprisingly quiet about the spycops scandal.

 

  1. May Day greetings from the Blacklist Support Group to all sisters, brothers & comrades fighting for their rights around the globe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh6vCsfaKWU&t=3s

 

  1. Dates for the diary:

Friday 5th May – Blacklisted worker turned academic Dr Jack Fawbert speaking on Corporate Crime 7 Blacklisting at Anglia ruskin University in Cambridge

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/anglia-ruskin-university-community-engagement-1110250731

22nd May – Last day to register to vote in General Election

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

 

  1. And finally:

Congratulations to the blacklisted workers and rank & file activists elected to represent construction on the UNITE Executive Council Frank Morris, Royston Bentham, Tony Seaman & Joseph Pisano

 

Blacklist Support Group

 

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