Author: Paul

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WOMEN’S REGIONAL ORGANISATION – WOMEN’S WEEK

WOMEN’S REGIONAL ORGANISATION – WOMEN’S WEEK

Further to circular NP/277/16, 23rd November 2016, promoting a week set aside to specifically organise women within the industry, the button badges saying “A woman’s place is in her RMT union” and a new leaflet aimed at women regarding the benefits of joining the union will be made available.  In addition we also hold “Violence against women transport workers – its not part of the job” posters which could be added to any membership pack.

Please do contact our Equal Opportunities Officer, Jessica Webb (j.webb@rmt.org.uk 020 7529 8821), immediately to say if are planning any activity and how many of the badges and leaflets you require.

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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RMT to ballot London Underground fleet staff

RMT to ballot London Underground fleet staff for action over breakdown in industrial relations

 

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it will be balloting its London Underground fleet staff members for strike action and action short of a strike over a breakdown in industrial relations and numerous breaches of agreed machineries and agreements by LUL management including:

•          Not consulting or negotiating with RMT over reduced staffing levels within Fleet.

•          Breaching our agreement on Night Tube and failing to recruit adequate additional staff to cover this work.

•          Actively attacking RMT Reps for carrying out their trade union duties.

•          Not following the correct process when seeking to change rosters.

•          Removing a long and established practice of ‘phone in days’ throughout Fleet without agreement.

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Thales Proposal to attack Pension Payments

The RMT have received a proposal from Thales UK to amend the future pension increases for members of  legacy final salary pension schemes (such as Thomson Retirement Benefit Scheme, Thales Optronics Pension Scheme and Racal Group Pension Scheme) and those in the Thales UK Pension Scheme (TUPs) ONLY. This proposal will see future payments from these defined benefit schemes being index linked to the CPI figure rather than the RPI figure which is usually higher.

This proposal would potentially see members having to survive on lower pensions than they would have done under the old scheme rules.

Also worrying, the proposal, though not clear, seem to infer that Thales are going to court and we can only assume that this is to attempt to rewrite the Pension Rules (in effect the promise made to its members) to change the indexation criteria to RPI.

To this end, the RMT have demanded full talks on this matter and will be opposing these changes until this has occurred. Furthermore, should Thales win this matter in court then the RMT will also be referring this matter to our solicitors and will not hesitate to challenge any ruling legally or industrially if necessary. We will keep our members informed of developments

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Jan 2017 Blacklisting Update

Happy 2017, and a massive thank you to everyone who has assisted the blacklisting campaign throughout 2016 and beyond. Last year saw a historic outcome in the High Court litigation, something few of us thought possible when we first started this fight but a half hearted apology and financial compensation is not the same as justice. That’s why our fight continues for a full public inquiry.

 

  1. ‘Blacklisted’ book world tour continues – this time Kuala Lumper

Phil Chamberlain will be giving a free public talk and book signing at Gerakbuduya bookshop in Kuala Lumpur on January 17 from 8-11pm.

More details on the bookshop here: http://gbgerakbudaya.com/bookshop/or on twitter @GerakBudaya

address: No. 2, Jalan Bukit 11/2, 46200 Petaling Jaya which is about 10 minutes walk from Tama Jaya metro station

 

  1. Another protest – another music video:

This coming Saturday there is a protest at Harrods over the company keeping the tips given to staff. BSG encourage as many people as possible to attend and show solidarity with the waiting staff. Wear your Blacklisted t-shirts as there will be a music video shoot for the new song ‘Us the Workers’ by the cutting edge MC, Potent Whisper – meet at Knightsbridge Tube 2pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/1133047913458998/?ti=icl

 

  1. The Health and Safety Executive have announced their intention to finally prosecute the BFK consortium (Bam – Ferrovial -Kier) over three incidents on the construction of the Crossrail tunnel, including the death of Rene Tkacik, who was crushed by falling spray-on “shotcrete” from a tunnel roof. BSG send solidarity to the family, the London Hazards and construction safety campaign who have tirelessly campaigned for justice.

 

  1. UNITE – UCATT merger

Blacklist Support Group sends comradely greetings to all construction workers now in the same union following the merger of UCATT and UNITE on 1st January. Let’s hope the newly merged union takes a strong stance against the exploitative employers who have blacklisted our reps and denied their workforce basic employment rights for too long.

 

  1. Trade Union Pale Ale

The people who brought us Brigadista Beer to commemorate the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War are launching Trade Union Pale Ale in February, with events in both Manchester and London. There is a special edition blacklisting version. We need people to represent, to drink the beer and take photos of the bottles. And more importantly get your local pub or club to order bottles via Matthew@hopenothate.org.uk –

Tickets available for the launch events from: http://www.kingsarmssalford.com/index.php?id=9#02/10/2017

 

 

 

 

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RMT hits back at Government-appointed ORR

General Secretary Mick Cash said.

“The Office of Road and Rail are claiming to be an independent safety body when in fact they are a department of the government made up of Tory appointees and funded by the transport industry.

“Despite their own reports highlighting over 20 serious safety failures they claim that, with remedial action, Driver Only Operation can be made safe .

“Any other industry that had over 20 serious safety failures would be put under special measures immediately but with the government itself pushing Driver Only Operation it is no surprise to us that this whitewash of a report has appeared on the eve of a strike.

“The ORR didn’t even have the decency to speak to the RMT when compiling their report  to get the workforce side of events and instead concentrated only on the opening of doors and not on the far wider guards role of evacuating a train during an accident, fire or terrorist incident and a suite of other safety competencies.

“The recent derailment at Watford, where the guard evacuated the train alone, has been completely ignored which shows what a servile shambles the ORR really is.‎ RMT will continue to fight for rail safety despite this coordinated attack from Government, their wholly-owned regulators and the rip-off train companies.”

Cash added;

“The ORR should also state that the orthodox train despatch with a conductor/guard is a safe method tried and tested and used in 70% of the railway network and Southern will continue to use it on their network with the authority of the ORR.”

“The  ORR, DfT and Southern want to confine this issue to doors and train despatch yet the role of the conductor/guard ensures a superior and safer method of working as it ensures a second safety critical person on-board to deal with a range of safety issues such as driver incapacity, evacuations, traction current isolations. Coordination of emergency services protection of the train and a whole range of issue including passenger assistance and accessibility.

“Any settlement of this dispute or consideration of the development of safe train operations must fully encompass this agenda and cannot be be based on the dilution of the safe operation of trains in the interest of company profits and the government’s anti-union agenda.”

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2016 Branch Social

Dear ALL

Please see the photos from our 2016 branch social and we would like to thank all our members and especially our long serving ones for making it such a great night

 

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img_1958 img_1960 img_1965 img_1968 img_1970 img_1971 img_1974 img_1976 img_1978 img_1981 img_1984 img_1985 img_1988 img_1990 img_1992 img_1993 img_1996

Anyone that attended that night for an award, please email LUEngineering@rmt.org.uk for a copy of the photos

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Tube Lines entry to the TfL Pension Fund

We would like to remind members that intend to transfer into the TfL Pension Scheme to send back their papers and chase up confirmation or replies if they have not received any.

The company intend to map those agreeing to transfer at the same time and it took eight years to win the right to join the fund for Metronet Staff that missed the window when the same process was done with that company. We do not want to have a similar fight and loss of potential pension rights again

So please document that you have sent your forms back or make sure you your forms have gone back and you have gotten confirmation they have been received (for those that have chosen to join the fund)

 

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Thales RSS ALP & A-Z Agreed

The RMT have now formally accepted the below agreement for Thales Rail Signals LR 1-7 Grades to resolve the long standing issue of annual leave pay and equalise conditions with Thales DTS Section.

We congratulate our members on their steadfast determination to achieve justice

 

ALP & A-Z AGREEMENT

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The Great Rail Rip Off

Southern Rail owners Go Ahead ramp up dividends and stockpile cash while services are left to rot and safety standards are slashed
New research by transport union RMT has found that as passenger brace themselves for yet another fare increase in the New Year the four big transport groups that own many of Britain’s Train Companies are so profitable that they are sitting on increasing levels of enormous cash reserves as well as paying ever higher dividends whilst simultaneously minimising the amount of tax they are paying.

A detailed analysis of the accounts of Go – Ahead, National Express, Virgin and Stagecoach has found that

The average annual change in cash reserves is +15.75%

Average the average annual change in dividends is +8.68%

Average annual change in tax -36.8%

The full data set and chart for each company is attached and the figures for each company will dismay passengers.

For example the amount held in the bank by Southern Rail owners Go Ahead rose from £128.9m a year from 30 June 2007 by five times to £636.3m in year to 2 June 2016.

In addition the amount that Go-Ahead paid its shareholders increased while the amount that it paid the Treasury fell. Dividends rose from £28.9m in year to 30 June 2007 by 36% to £39.4m in year to 2 June 2016

Tax paid fell from £23.6m in year to 30 June 2007 by 22% to £18.5m in year to 2 June 2016. The total dividend paid over this period was £344.8m while the total tax paid over this period was £183.8m.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said,

“These figures show that not only are rail companies paying out ever higher dividends they are also sitting on increasing huge cash reserves whilst paying less and less tax.”

“All of their revenues come from the tax and fare payer and while the rail companies are getting richer by the year while the passenger and taxpayer get less.”

“What’s equally as scandalous is they are sitting on hundreds of millions of pounds of idle wealth which could instead be put to work increasing rail capacity and staffing and reducing fares.”

 

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stagecoach-group-plc

 

virgin-rail-group-holdings-ltd

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DfT admits to rigging rail franchise market for privateers

DfT admits to rigging rail franchise market for privateers

RAIL UNION RMT says that today’s revelations in the media that the DfT intend to rig the rail franchise market to ensure privateers have their profits protected must be explained to Parliament and rail passengers.

The Department for Transport’s  Managing Director of Passenger Services has admitted to rigging the so called rail franchise market in order to boost company’s profits at the expense of passengers.

 In a news story today in The Times newspaper devastating details have emerged of a ‘private meeting’ between Peter Wilkinson and HSBC bank in which it is alleged he revealed how the Department will loosen financial agreements to “protect future franchises” and even “retrofit” existing franchises to alleviate the impact of any fall in passenger numbers.

Previously, Mr Wilkinson is on record as saying that train drivers that resist changes to their working practices can “get the hell out of my industry”

 Mick Cash RMT General Secretary said:

“This should come as no surprise to passengers experiencing fare increases today and simply confirms what we have been consistently saying for over twenty years.

“Train operating company profits are not earned in the market but politically fabricated out of regulatory obfuscation, political expediency and dodgy contracts which create profitable positions for private shareholders in a subsidised industry.

“How the Managing Director of Passenger Services can be promising a bank protection for this bogus profit laundering franchising system is beyond belief and is something the Secretary of State must urgently explain to Parliament.” 

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Jan RMT Circular

STATION STAFFING & SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS, POST-IMPLEMENTATION OF FIT FOR THE FUTURE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/5)

 

STRIKE ACTION CALLED ON 8TH and 9th JANUARY!

Further to my previous Circular IR/395/16 of 19th December 2016 I want to congratulate members for the solid overtime and rest day working ban. This has left LU with a shortage of cover to fill the gaps left by their slashing staffing levels to the bone. The Fit for the Future – Stations programme is simply not fit for purpose and stations are being chronically understaffed. The solid action being taken by members continues to highlight this unacceptable situation.

A meeting was held just before Christmas  with our LUL representatives to discuss this matter and the National Executive Committee has decided to call all station and revenue members to take further industrial action which is outlined below: –

Station and Retail members are instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between: –

 

  • 1800 hours on Sunday 8th January 2017 and 1759 hours Monday 9th January 2017

For legal reasons we have to suspend the current overtime and rest day ban, non-familiarisation and non rostering of overtime bans just for the duration of the strike.

I urge our stations and revenue members to continue to support the above action to demand that management give their attention to resolving the issues at the heart of this dispute and start to reverse the disastrous cuts to staffing levels. We continue to impress on London Underground that the only way to resolve these issues is to have enough fully-qualified staff on all stations at all times, without having to rely on overtime and rest day working. The ticket office closure programme must also be reversed immediately.

I will of course keep you advised of all developments.

DISMISSAL – D STOREY, TRAIN OPERATOR, WEST RUISLIP – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)

 Further to my circular IR/395/16 of 19th December 2016, the NEC further considered the matter just before Christmas. Having met with our reps to discuss the dispute the NEC decided to suspend the industrial action called from Christmas Eve.  However the action called for Monday 9th January 2017 remains on.

Train Operator and Instructor Operator members at West Ruislip and White City are instructed not to book on for any shifts between 0300 hours Monday 9th January 2017 and 02.59 hours Tuesday 10th January 2017

I urge our members to support this action in defence of their colleague Brother Storey who has been very harshly treated by management.

 

NON PAYMENT OF NEGOTIATED PAY INCREASE, EX UKPN STAFF – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/9/18)

Referring to Circular No IR/274/16 27th September 2017, legal advice has been received on this matter and the NEC has instructed me to arrange a meeting with our reps from LU Engineering to discuss it. The NEC will consider the matter again once the meeting has taken place.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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Fighting Transphobia

FIGHTING TRANSPHOBIA

 The RMT National LGBT Members’ Conference last year called for a new poster to be produced about transphobia in line with the union’s on-going fight against all forms of discrimination.  I am now pleased to enclose a copy of this poster along with TUC guidance for trade union activists to support trans members (which is also available at https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Transforming%20the%20workplace%20-%20final.pdf)

By way of definition, transphobia is fear, discrimination or hatred against people who have changed their gender from the one they were assigned at birth (transgender) and/or against people who do not present or identify as either male or female.  In addition, people who are born with bodies with both male and female elements (intersex) may also suffer from transphobia whether or not they consider themselves as a transperson.

The colours of the poster are from the transgender community flag.  The colours of pink and blue represent male and female gender with the ground between them.  The symbol is the transgender symbol, with the male and female symbols and combining them.

Should you have any queries please contact our Equal Opportunities Officer, Jess Webb, on j.webb@rmt.org.uk

 

fighting-transphobia-poster

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary                                                                                                                 Enc.                                                    

 

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