Author: Paul

Posted on

LUEngineering Branch COVID Fund

The Fund has now raised almost £6,000 and we have moved from raising money to helping our members that are in need.

 

So far we have supported members affected by the Covid and the Covid shutdown and have suffered severe financial stress. This has included people unable to work and also a person that lost their loved one to this terrible illness.

 

When working people stand together, we can make a difference and help change lives, even if just in a small way.

 

If you are an RMT member, in our branch and have been affected by covid then you may also be able to claim assistance.

 

if so please fill out the form below and we will get back to you.

 

Claim Expenses

Posted on

RMT pledge to protect TfL Pensions

RMT pledges all-out fight to protect pensions as Government line up savage cuts in TFL funding deal

 

London’s main transport union‎ RMT pledges all-out fight to protect jobs, pensions and working conditions as Government line up savage cuts in TFL funding deal as details emerge this morning.

 

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

 

“It is appalling that the Government are targeting staff pensions amongst a range of other savage measures in this short-term funding deal. I put them on notice that any attempt to hack away at our members pension rights will be met by an all-out campaign of political and industrial resistance.

 

“These are difficult times for the staff who have kept London moving since the COVID pandemic and it is a disgrace that they are now being set up for a battering in these cuts measures. The TFL staff are essential workers who have performed heroically and RMT will fight off any  attempt to hack back on jobs, pay, pensions and working conditions‎.”

 

Posted on

Branch Meetings – Zoom

Your branch is continuing to meeting on the first and third wednesday of every month.

 

Should you yes an invite, then please contact us LUEngineering@rmt.org.uk

 

You will need the software to run ‘zoom’ and have to identify yourself so that we all know who each other is

Posted on

Political attack on TfL Funding

MT reveals that Londoners are being offered 22 times less funding than private Train Companies in politically motivated attack on TfL
 
 
TRANSPORT UNION RMT has revealed today that Londoners face a bleak future in which the capital’s transport network will be starved of money if the government gets its way.
 
The union’s research exposes the double standards at the heart of transport policy, and has shown that the ‘take it or get taken over’ ‘offer’ made to TfL would mean London getting the equivalent of £1 per passenger journey over the next six months, compared with £22 per passenger journey which is being handed out to the government’s friends in the failing Train Operating Companies.
 
Chiltern Railways, which runs through Boris Johnson’s constituency are set to receive more than £20 per passenger journey, while Transpennine Express, which runs through Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Yorkshire constituency stands to get £36. 
 
Commenting on the revelations, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
 
“It cannot be right that Londoners are being threated with 22 times less funding per passenger journey than the private train companies.
 
“We welcome the support that’s been given to the rail industry but we have to see the same standards applied to London’s massive transport network.
 
“Instead we’re seeing a politically motivated attack which is starving the capital of transport finding and piling on the pain for ordinary Londoners and small businesses.”
Posted on

Website Issues

Dear ALL

 

We have been working on a new website and APP that should be ready to launch very soon.

 

This work has led to our website being down for a while so we would like to apologise that this occurred.

Posted on

STONEHAVEN

STONEHAVEN

 

Further to Head Office Circular NP/200/20, 17th August 2020, members will be aware of the tragic loss of life of an RMT Guard member, an ASLEF train driver and a member of the travelling public in a train crash at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. At their meeting of 28th August the National Executive Committee (NEC) have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

 

Following the tragedy at Stonehaven on Wednesday 12th August 2020 where all six vehicles of train 1T08 derailed after striking a landslip at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire in which our member Donald Dinnie – the train’s conductor, Brett McCullough – the train’s driver and a passenger Christopher Stuchbury suffered fatal injuries in the accident. We note that, currently, Police Scotland are leading investigations but that other investigation by Network Rail, RAIB and ORR have, or will soon commence. Our members will be represented by the RMT as appropriate and wherever needed.        

 

We further note at least two further incidents of a similar type in this current period; at Polmont on 12th August 2020 and; at Wallers Ash Tunnel near Guildford on 27th August 2020. RMT have serious concerns about Network Rail’s overall approach to the management of civil work. While we note the establishment by Network Rail of a Weather Action Task Force and an Earthworks Task Force this union believes that the outcomes of this work must be fully funded from the public purse. General Secretary is instructed to secure agreement on this from both Network Rail and ORR.

 

The tragedy also highlights that the driver of the train was working to the instruction of the railway Rulebook and that in order to prevent a further incident of this type the rail industry have had to develop a new set of rules and instructions for train drivers to be published shortly in the WON (Weekly Operating Notice).

 

RMT wish to acknowledge and praise the work of all of our representatives who have or will have played a part in the aftermath of this tragedy. The support provided by     our officers and officials of Aberdeen No.1 Branch, our Scottish Regional Council, our   Regional Organiser, our Network Rail Coordinator and Lead Union Health and Safety Representative and Area Health and Safety Representatives demonstrate that unity through safety is one of the RMT’s fundamental principles. In addition we pay tribute to the exemplary actions of our guard member travelling on the train.

 

Finally we note the expressions of condolence and support received from a range of organisations both at home and abroad including trade unions, campaigning organisations and employers and instruct the General Secretary to acknowledge these communications.

 

Branches, Regional Councils and all members to be advised.

 

In addition to noting the report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee the NEC also agreed to donate £5000.00p to the Condolence Fund that has been established. Please see Head Office Circular MF/FIN/181 for details of how to donate to the fund.

 

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep you informed of developments.

Yours sincerely,

Posted on

7th September Fight the Cuts Webinar

Dear Colleagues

 

 

A special Zoom meeting has been arranged for 7th September 2020 at 5:00 PM London (London Time) to which you are invited, indeed urged to log into.

 

The necessary information to do so is giving below.

 

 

Essentially, this will be a report back on the campaign concerning proposed cuts and other financial constraints in TfL.

 

 

I trust you will make every effort to attend and look forward to seeing you. Best wishes until then.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

John Leach

REGIONAL ORGANISER

 

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Sep 7, 2020 05:00 PM London
Topic: RMT LU All members meeting – Stronger Together

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83772186040?pwd=WDVmYU5DdW9oK2x0bWpKTGtJaFMwQT09

 

Passcode: 116408

 

Or iPhone one-tap:

US: +13126266799,,83772186040#  or +13462487799,,83772186040#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 669 900 9128  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 837 7218 6040
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kYZrTH3fS

Posted on

RMT Circular 4th September 2020

INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRONIC PAYSLIPS – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/9/11)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/465/19, 15th November 2019), Branches will recall the LTRC submitted a resolution regarding the introduction of electronic payslips by London Underground and members access to their payslips.

 

The National Executive Committee took the decision to take this matter up in line with the contents of the resolution and the Lead Officer has recently provided an update to advise that the matter continues to be discussed at London Underground Company Council. I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

 

DISCIPLINARY, E. CHRISTIAN, TRAIN OPERATOR, BAKERLOO LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/4)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/109/20, 18th March 2020), a Director’s Review took place regarding the decision to dismiss Brother Christian and the Lead Officer has advised that our member has now been reinstated although downgraded within LUL.

 

The National Executive Committee congratulates Bro Christian, LUL Trains Reps, the Bakerloo Branch and the Lead Officer for reaching an acceptable outcome for Bro Christian. This outcome once again demonstrates the importance of joining RMT and having the effective representation that membership brings with it.

 

ROP & COS 2020 – ISS (DLR CONTRACT) (LUL/0001/ISS(DLR))

 

The Lead Officer and Reps recently met with ISS to discuss the 2020 pay review and following discussions, the final offer which was received was as follows:-

 

  • All Cleaning Grades have already received the London Living Wage increase of 1.896% from 1st April 2020, this included the PICOW grades. There is no further offer increase proposed for these grades.

 

  • All Security Grades are offered a 1.896% increase, backdated to 1st April 2020.

 

The National Executive Committee then considered this matter, noted the recommendation from the Lead Officer and Reps that the offer is accepted in line with members’ wishes, and took the decision to inform the Company of our acceptance of the offer.

 

I have asked that the increase and backdated monies is paid to Security Grades members at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Posted on

RMT analyse on fares.

New RMT analysis shows how fares could be cut immediately by 5% on an annual basis which would save commuters thousands of pounds and encourage passengers back to the railways
 
RMT has called on the Government to slash fares rather than raise them as expected today simply by using £500 million that would otherwise be paid to private rail companies during the Covid-19 crisis.
 
Recent research by RMT found that Britain’s private rail companies stand to make almost £500 million in profits out of the Covid-19 crisis on UK railways over a 12 month period, if the government goes ahead and extends the current Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) bailouts.
 
However if this £500 million was reinvested in our railways then it would work out as a potential 5%  cut in fares across the board. Over 5 years if this money was reinvested RMT analysis has found that the savings are significant for passengers.
 
Since the lockdown was implemented on 23 March rail usage has slumped to just 23 per cent of pre Covid-19 levels as only 34 per cent of white collar workers have returned to the office whilst a survey of businesses found that 50 per cent say that remote working will become a permanent mix for most of their staff. Alongside RMT’s demands for flexible ticketing RMT is calling on the Government to take bold action and cut fares to encourage passengers back to our railways.
 
Examples of potential savings on season tickets for regular commutes into UK cities include the following (Full calculations including more UK cities can be found in Editor’s Notes below):
 
  • Brighton to London Terminals current season ticket price is £4,580 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £4,351, a saving of £229. Over 5 years the saving would be £1,145 and the new season ticket price would be £3,435.
  • Cambridge to London Terminals current season ticket price is £5,252 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £4,989.40, a saving of £262.60. Over 5 years the  saving would be £1,313 and the new season ticket price would be £3,939
  • Glasgow to Edinburgh Terminals current season ticket price is £2,504 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £2,379 a saving of £125. Over 5 years the saving would be £626, and the new season ticket price would be £1,878.
  • Swansea to Cardiff Terminals current season ticket costs £1,844 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,752, a saving of £92. Over 5 years the saving would be £461 and the new season ticket price would be £1,383
  • Stafford to Birmingham Terminals current season ticket costs £1,920 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,824, a saving of £96. Over 5 years the saving would be £480 and the new season ticket price would be £1,440.
  • Macclesfield to Manchester Terminals current season ticket costs £2,148 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £2,041 a saving of £107. Over 5 years the saving would be £537 and the new season ticket price would be £1,611.
  • Bradford-On-Avon to Bristol Terminals current season ticket costs £2,268 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £2,155, a saving of £113. Over 5 years the saving would be £567 and the new season ticket price would be £1,701
  • Hebden Bridge to Leeds Terminals current season ticket costs £1,520 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,444, a saving of £76. Over 5 years the saving would be £380 and the new season ticket price would be £1,140.
  • Warrington Stations to Liverpool Terminals current season ticket costs £1,640 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,558, a saving of £82. Over 5 years the saving would be £410 and the new season ticket price would be £1,230.
  • Hexham to Newcastle Terminals current season ticket costs £1,384 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,315, a saving of £69. Over 5 years the saving would be £346 and the new season ticket price would be £1,038.
 
RMT Senior Assistant General Secretary Mick Lynch said;
 
“The fact that private train companies are being propped up by the taxpayer and are still profiteering from our railways to the tune of £500 million a year at a time of national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.  
 
After well over a decade of eye-watering fare increases and with an industry in crisis tinkering with fares is simply not good enough.  Instead we argue that stopping the unjustified profiteering of the train companies would pay for an annual 5% cut in fares as part of a long-term National strategy for our railway.
 
“Now more than ever the Government must be bold and rebuild passenger confidence and encourage passengers back to the railway by giving them what they want:  a publicly owned railway with affordable and flexible ticketing that’s good value and suits their needs as part of the Covid-19 recovery.”
 
 
NOTES TO EDITORS
 
  • RMT’s Report ‘Profiteering at a time of Crisis’  found that Britain’s private rail companies stand to make almost £500 million in profits out of the crisis on UK railways over a 12 month period, if the government goes ahead and extends the current Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) bailouts. Analysis of ministerial answers to questions in Parliament indicate that the government’s EMAs will see the government hand over around £115 million in operating profits to the train operating companies over the initial 6 month period and £231 million over a 12 month period. The train operating companies are currently lobbying the government to extend the agreements for a further 18 months. https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/profiteering-at-a-time-of-crisis-rmt-report/
·         Total passenger revenue in 2018-19 was £10.207 Billion  – £500 million is 5% of this total https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/42562/uk-rail-industry-financial-information-2018-19.pdf
 
Table 1: Savings following a 5% fare cut on popular UK commuting routes over 1 year and 5 years
 
Station commuted from into London terminals
Current season ticket price
Season ticket price with 5% Reduction
Percentage reduction
Total annual saving after 5% reduction
Total saving over 5 years
Season ticket price after 5 year reduction
Brighton to London
£4,580
£4,351
5%
£229
£1,145
£3,435
Cambridge to London
£5,252
£4,989.40
5%
£262.60
£1,313
£3,939
Glasgow to Edinburgh
£2,504
£2,379
5%
£125
£626
£1,878
Linlithgow to Edinburgh
£1,872
£1,778
5%
£94
£468
£1,404
Newport to Cardiff
£840
£798
5%
£42
£210
£630
Swansea to Cardiff
£1,844
£1,752
5%
£92
£461
£1,383
Stafford to Birmingham
£1,920
£1,824
5%
£96
£480
£1,440
Stratford-Upon-Avon to Birmingham
£1,676
£1,592
5%
£84
£419
£1,257
Glossop to Manchester
£1,208
£1,148
5%
£60
£302
£906
Macclesfield to Manchester
£2,148
£2,041
5%
£107
£537
£1,611
Bath Spa to Bristol
£1,736
£1,649
5%
£87
£434
£1,302
Bradford-On-Avon to Bristol
£2,268
£2,155
5%
£113
£567
£1,701
Huddersfield to Leeds
£1,428
£1,357
5%
£71
£357
£1,071
Hebden Bridge to Leeds
£1,520
£1,444
5%
£76
£380
£1,140
Widnes
£1,388
£1,319
5%
£69
£347
£1,041
Warrington Stations
£1,640
£1,558
5%
£82
£410
£1,230
Hexham
£1,384
£1,315
5%
£69
£346
£1,038
Middlesborough
£2,224
£2,113
5%
£111
£556
£1,668
 
Posted on

Covid UPDATE LUL Contracts

COVID-19 related issues

 

Area Comments
Track and Signals Tier 2: General discussions on a full return to work and continued safe practices.

·         Risk Assessments are either done or in process.

·         Looking at sharing best practice around areas.

·         Looking at fire doors being automatically released in the event of a fire (trial being undertaken) so that they can be left open for Covid-19 ventilation.

·         Vehicle access and social isolation being looked at.

·         SOO waivers being investigate as to what has been changed and why no consultation.

·         Still problems on the MET such as petrol payment and issues with annual leave and looking at best practice across all areas. Still very quiet.

·         LUOH RA are poor and needs TU involvement and telling people to return to work asap. Very poor quality health survey

·         Need to look at accommodation for full return of staff to accommodate social distancing.

·         Asked to amend times for start times at Stratford to avoid peak travel (approx. 7am to 9am)

·         Zoono paper reports that it is not effective was raised and denied by LUL. Our view is we see this as part of a safe system of work plus we need a better system for tracking the work done.

·         Vehicle shielding being trialled at Baker Street and details to be shared.

·         Joint meeting with Trains Safety Council to discuss Cab Access.
Signals Incident General discussions on a full return to work and continued safe practices.

·         Work TO scheme agreement ready for sign off by Simon Milburn.

·         DSIMs back at work, need to chase up.

·         Need to get the JNP reps invited to Covid Updates ref SMD.

·         Train Cab access process just being agreed and let train side know what we need for safe access. More help from the train reps would be useful

·         JNP signals still waiting for the return of the risk assessments. DSIMs happy to work closely together and ignore 2m social distancing

·         Stopping of fuel payments

·         Training concerns that there was excessive travel as the managers was not obtaining joining instructions near where people work. Courses to be arranged as best as possible to be near where staff are living.
Track Projects Move back to full restart however now lack of management consultation on issues. This is being dealt with.

Looking at workshop return.

Furloughed staff to all be returned by September. 4 staff flagged as RED

LUBE returning to a 23:00 start and can socially distance.

Track Workshops to return 5 days a week due to increase in work
LUL Track Not all staff did reduced days and some areas now struggling to complete all work

 

Running smoothly and not being asked to move to a full return.

Bloo ‘Q’ Grades looking to be returned for 5 days.

 

Meeting took place with D Weir stated it was contractual and the workplace safe (Perspex etc). We have requested the risk assessments for those grades.
R&E/ TLL & Stations Little happening and no change

 

·         Vast majority of staff furloughed with no sign of any return to station upgrade work being restarted

 
Stations & Civils General discussions on a full return to work and continued safe practices. COVID bolt on to define essential and non-essential work. Certain works now going ahead and have the support of local managers in going forward.

Awaiting for management to agree new COMMs roster, slow progress

 
TAC Portal was implemented without discussions and looks like it is to stay and aimed at doing away with  team leaders. Still to be discussed with the RMT. No training and woolly instructions on NEPA. Zero communications with the senior management, only via bulletins. Issue was challenged and was told this was to deal with COVID however, this has been expanded now to also include exclusion areas etc. End users also need to pursue this issue. 7 ON and 7 OFF system working well as is the back up location and will continue for another few months. T&S Tier 2 and Safety Forum has had the issue on its agenda and that the RO and Staff side sec will chase them up.
Apprentices Will all be given jobs and will be given the opportunity to complete the apprenticeship. Some retention issues in R&E being resolved. Apprenticeship being extended through to next April to complete the apprenticeship.

 

Concerns regarding the safe return of apprentices into the work place. Talks meant to be occurring at local level. Issue of MET line being dealt with and already raised. Rep has approached both the MET Signals and the Apprentice unit. Talks have occurred on the District Signals.
TLL Signals General discussions on a full return to work and continued safe practices. Issues with BAME risk assessments and Works TOs in incident. No significant change. Bi-weekly meetings with S Milburn. No push to reopen depots but still maintaining single cover. Issue of so called guidance released at Signal Works dealt with and explained not for the present date and was guidance for the start of the covid crisis for potential ideas on safe working.

Also issues with social working at most depots and especially certain depots which has led to an eIRF and refusal to work being lodged. Staff not distancing and wearing masks. Management refusing to do leadership and take control of the situation. Issues at SMD regarding the above and lack of union representation. Inspection being undertaken tonight. Simon Milburn to put out company guidance against complacency.

Still issues getting wall mounted hand sanitisers at all locations. Need to show that other staff are attending to get it installed (via Risk Assessment). Need to collate best practice.
Tampers and ETOs Returned to normal from the 24th August 2020.
TLL Escalator Maintenance Work returned to normal. Face fitted masks etc
 
Annual Leave LUL company policy still refusing to the carryover of up to 20 days leave.

 

‘The carry over arrangements announced by Government recently, state that employees may carry forward up to four weeks’ holiday where it is not reasonably practicable for them to take it in the annual leave year due to effects of COVID-19. This does not mean that there is an automatic entitlement to carry forward 20 days’ leave (or some other amount of leave of the employee’s choosing).

 

The Government guidance sets out the relevant factors which should be taken into account when determining whether or not it is reasonably practicable for leave to be taken in the current leave year. These reasons focus on where there is such pressure/demand within the business requiring employees to work that it is not possible for leave to be taken by those employees. It is envisaged in such cases that the employer would tell the employees that they cannot take their leave.’

 
Covid Risk Assessments Incident and District Line completed. General depot one have been done.

 

All Risk Assessments need to be checked for new staff returning that was shielding. Talked about a phased return to work. Concerns that staff are only deemed vulnerable if over 70%. People should really not be at work if vulnerable. Needs to look at how we approach this issue. First question needs to be that LUOH have not done their job properly and we will review and put something out ourselves. Important to be aware that despite restrictions being lifted for shielding does not mean that people have had their restrictions lifted.

LUOH not taking into account how people have to travel to work which could potentially mean that they are vulnerable.

 
LUL BAME Risk Assessments People need to aware that these should be carried out and that the use of central communications was not appropriate and that we need to move to a more local approach. The onus should be away from the individuals and the RMT had major concerns regarding how LUL was looking into this issue. LUL are calling an emergency meeting however, it was a waste of time. Rep has sent out documents but their starting point risk assessment was for White Finger Vibration issue which was disgusting.

Lack of awareness in some areas and being pursued at higher levels.
Glasses Concerns that glasses were misting up with the face masks. LUL is looking special products that can be used.

 

Some demisting solution has been trialled but unsuccessful
Minimum Numbers in the Van Concerns ref minimum numbers and the need to maintaining 2m distance. Company have issued new guidance ref Tier 2 and we are rejecting this out of order.
Training restart Looking at phasing course start times, all agreed but joining instructions not updated
Thermal Monitoring of staff Should not be to do away with other protections and at the start and not in place of PPE. If high temp then staff go home. Need to progress pay for non-permanent staff. Branch position generally in favour.
LUL BAME Risk Assessments Meetings No further meetings and LUL attitude is disgusting. They have done nothing.

 

Only 1 meeting occurred and then nothing. Action: chase J Leach
Local Lock Downs Bro Jackson raised the issue of local lock downs such as Leicester and whether there is any discussions or planning.

 

Not a great response from LUL and no plan in place. No real guidance has been forthcoming. No firm commitment.
Ventilation Issue with air recycled systems and where it is dispelled. It is felt most depots are probably ok but our reps need to raise during their risk assessments.
 
Balfour Beatty More staff unfurloughed and redeployment.

Looking at restart and job moves. Wish to use thermal camera as above.
Cubic Concerns that RA’s aren’t available
Self Employed/ Protection Very hard times. LUL changing protection arrangement hours and very little work. Issue raised with LUL and they stated that they would not implement. This has not been implemented.

 

Hardship Fund now over £5000.

 

·         Look at ways of communication actioned.

·
 
Branch Exec Produce PPE Guidelines, work in progress
  Obtain Face Masks
   
 
Posted on

July 2020 Inflation Rates

New Inflation rates for year to July 2020
 
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published inflation rates for the year to July 2020. The Retail Prices Index (RPI) has increased to 1.6% , which is 0.5% up on the year to June 2020. The alternative measures of CPI and CPIH were 1% (up 0.4%) and 1.1% (up 0.3%) respectively.
 
The RPI figure for July (1.6%) is the rate Government will use to increase regulated rail passenger fares from 1 January 2021.
 
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.
 
Posted on

NPC members take to streets for 11th hour socially-distanced demos over axing of free TV licences

NPC members take to streets for 11th hour socially-distanced demos over axing of free TV licences
 

Britain’s biggest campaign group for older people will demonstrate tomorrow (Thursday 30th July) in a bid to save the free TV licence for over all 75’s before it is axed on Saturday.

Despite the ongoing threat of the pandemic, the fittest members of the National Pensioners’ Convention are staging ‘safe and socially distanced’ actions at several locations around the country.

They want the government and the BBC to stop the broadcaster imposing the £157.50 licence fee on our oldest and most vulnerable before the 1st August deadline.

Protests are planned in London, Newcastle, Oxford, Norwich, Liverpool, Irvine and Belfast, with many more members staging social media protests from the safety of their homes.

Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the NPC said: “The free TV licence for all over 75’s is a universal entitlement to supplement our poor state pension. To force people to find the money to pay for it now, particularly during the pandemic when they rely on their TV’s for information, is just cruel.”

“That is why on Thursday, the fittest and healthiest of our older members will put on their masks and gloves – and pop sanitiser in their pockets – to join static, and socially distanced demonstrations around the country.

This is a big step for an age group that has been in lockdown longest and are just getting to grips with coming out of their homes. For that reason, we do not expect great numbers to attend, but those who are able to,  want to show just how angry all of us feel at the loss of this important benefit for our oldest and most vulnerable citizens.

“We hope the Prime Minister – who promised last November to save the free licence for over 75’s – and the BBC, hear how much distress will be caused by their actions and  take immediate steps to reverse their decisions.”

NPC protests will be happening in the following places on Thursday, 30th July:
  • London
10 Downing Street, 11:15am to 12 noon.
  • Norwich
BBC Studios at the Norwich Forum, from 11.30am.
  • Oxford
Bonn Square, from 12 noon.
  • Newcastle
BBC (Pink Palace) in Newcastle, 11.00 am until 11.45am.
  • North London
Hornsey Pensioners, BBC TV Tower, Alexandra Palace, 11.00am to 11.30am.
  • Liverpool
Merseyside Pensioners Association online Zoom protest at 7pm.
  • Northern Ireland
Static demo of 30 people outside BBC Belfast on Friday, 31st (time tbc).
  • Ayrshire, Scotland
Saturday, 1st August. All day protest in Irvine town centre.


The NPC is also continuing to push its social media campaign encouraging supporters to retweet the NPC’s message on its Twitter page to the Prime Minister.  NPC members who are unable to go out because they are still shielding are asked to send pictures and videos of their own home-based protests to info@npcuk.org
*For more information about the NPC protests on Thursday morning, 30th July, 2020 please contact Bev Morrison, 07588 779515 or Jan Shortt, 07773 051210.



*The National Pensioners Convention was set up in 1979 to champion the rights and welfare of the UK’s older people. It now represents more than 1.5 million people in over 1,000 different organisations across the UK and holds an Annual Convention – a pensioners’ parliament – to debate issues affecting older people.
www.npcuk.org


ENDS

Other TV Licence materials

Dont Switch Us Off poster here
TV Licence poster here
TV Licence Flyer here
TV Licensing briefing here

Don’t forget to also tweet:

@BorisJohnson promised no one over75 would pay for a #TVlicence and you would sort it. Stop blaming the #BBC. 3.7 million over 75s will now have to choose to pay to watch TV or cut down on essentials like food & fuel or lose a source of info & company #BorisPromised #SwitchedOff


Further information about the NPC can be found on
www.npcuk.org

RELATED NEWS

Archives