Author: Paul

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Joint Union Statement Supporting a Leave Vote

ASLEF, BFAWU, RMT

 

Joint Union Statement Supporting a Leave Vote

A united Labour Movement

 

Many great figures of the Labour moment such as Tony Benn, Michael Foot and Bob Crow were firmly against the EU.  Millions of Labour voters oppose the EU and we believe a similar number of trade unionists support withdrawal.

Whatever the result of the EU referendum the Labour and Trade Union movement will continue to fight against injustice and austerity.

 

The EU is anti-worker and cannot be reformed

We support a Leave vote in the forthcoming referendum because we believe the EU acts overwhelmingly in the interests of big business and against the interests of workers.

We note that David Cameron secured only very minor changes to EU rules and believe this demonstrates that there is little hope of reforming the EU.

 

The myth of the EU and workers’ rights

 

It’s a myth that the EU has won workers’ rights and protections for workers. Nearly all the laws that protect workers in Britain are UK laws which have been won by the struggles and campaigns of the British trade union and Labour movement.

 

In fact, the EU and its European Court of Justice have accelerated their policy agenda which attacks trade union rights, job protections and wages.

 

Defend our NHS and progressive legislation

The TTIP trade agreement being negotiated between the EU and the United States will promote big business at the expense of sovereign governments and their organisations including our NHS. Environmental regulations, employment rights, food safety, privacy laws and many other safeguards will also be secondary to the right of corporations to make even bigger profits.

The threat to democracy and from the far right

 

The majority of the laws which affect our lives are now made in the EU and not the UK. This is a major problem because a distant link between law makers and the electorate creates a vacuum which could be exploited by the far right. Big decisions such as TTIP are being made with very little regard for democratic oversight and cannot be reversed at the ballot box.

Internationalism not isolationism

We are internationalists. We believe workers throughout the world, in Britain, America and Asia, as well as Europe, have more in common with each other than the heads of big business in their own countries.  Out of the EU and into the world.

 

No fortress Britain. No Fortress Europe

Unlike UKIP and others we don’t believe Britain should be an island unto itself. Our country, and indeed many countries, are nations of immigrants. We want everyone to get a fair rate for the job and everyone to have the same rights at work.

We don’t support fortress Britain and so we don’t support fortress Europe. We profoundly regret that children and families fleeing poverty, persecution and war not being allowed in to Europe.

 

The challenge we need to address is not the distribution of people around the world it is the distribution of wealth and resources. There is enough wealth for everyone’s needs.

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RMT PAY BULLETIN: May 2016

Headline forecasts

Inflation rate: Average new forecast

April 2016 RPI inflation (change in cost of living relative to same time one year earlier) was 1.3%

For the final three months of 2016, annual RPI (according to the latest forecasts) will rise to 2.2%

For the final three months of 2017, annual RPI (according to the latest forecasts) will rise to 2.9%

 

Average earnings growth: Average new forecast

Over the course of 2016, average earnings are predicted to increase by 2.6%

Over the course of 2017, average earnings are predicted to increase by 3.1%

 

Proportion of company turnover paid to Exchequer as tax, is falling

Even companies reliant on public contracts avoid tax. In the year to 30 April 2015, Stagecoach had a turnover of £3.2 billion, but paid just £25.7 million tax. It is unclear how much Stagecoach spends on tax advisers – other firms, such as National Express, admit to sometimes spending £1 million a year.

 

Forecasts in detail: RPI inflation[1]

Predictions for RPI inflation made by a range of forecasters are:

 

Q4 2016

Average forecast (non-City): 2.2%

Average new forecast: 2.2%

Average forecast (City): 2.3%

Highest recent forecast: 3%

Lowest recent forecast: 1.6%

Median recent forecast: 2.1%

 

High RPI Q4 2016 forecasts to quote to employers in pay negotiations are:

Schroders Investment Management (3% – forecast made in May 2016), Nomura (2.8% – forecast made in May 2016), Pantheon (2.6% – forecast made in May 2016), Experian Economics (2.6% – forecast made in May 2016), Commerzbank (2.5% – forecast made in May 2016)

 

Q4 2017

Average forecast (non-City): 2.9%

Average new forecast: 2.9%

Average forecast (City): 2.9%

Highest recent forecast: 3.5%

Lowest recent forecast: 1.8%

Median recent forecast: 3%

 

High RPI Q4 2017 forecasts to quote to employers in pay negotiations are:

NIESR (3.5% – forecast made in May 2016), Pantheon (3.5% – forecast made in May 2016), Economic Perspectives (3.3% – forecast made in May 2016)[2], Bank of America/ Merrill Lynch (3.2% – forecast made in May 2016), Nomura (3.2% – forecast made in May 2016), Experian Economics (3.2% – forecast made in May 2016)

 

Forecasts in detail: Average earnings growth

Predictions for average earnings growth made by a range of forecasters are:

 

2016

Average forecast (non-City): 2.6%

Average new forecast: 2.6%

Average forecast (City): 2.5%

Highest recent forecast: 3.2%

Lowest recent forecast: 1.8%

Median recent forecast: 2.6%

 

High average earnings growth forecasts for 2016 to quote to employers in pay negotiations are:

European Commission (3.3% – forecast made in May 2016)[3], Schroders Investment Management (3.2% – forecast made in May 2016), Liverpool Macro Research (3.2% – forecast made in May 2016), Oxford Economics (3.2% – forecast made in May 2016)

 

2017

Average forecast (non-City): 3.1%

Average new forecast: 3.1%

Average forecast (City): 3.1%

Highest recent forecast: 3.5%

Lowest recent forecast: 2.6%

Median recent forecast: 3.1%

 

High average earnings growth forecasts for 2017 to quote to employers in pay negotiations are:

European Commission (3.5% – forecast made in May 2016)[4], Capital Economics (3.5% – forecast made in May 2016), Economic Perspectives (3.5% – forecast made in May 2016), Pantheon (3.5% – forecast made in May 2016), IHS Global Insight (3.5% – forecast made in May 2016)

Recent RMT Settlements

Company

Award

Effective From
Train Operating Companies and Rail freight
First Great Western
  • Year 2 of two year deal was for a 2% increase or Feb 2016 RPI, whichever was greater. Accordingly pay award was for 2%.
 1 May 2016
Serco Caledonian Sleeper ·         2.32% 1 April 2016
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
  • 1%
 1 Jan 2016
Infrastructure Companies
Babcock Rail Year One

a)    2% increase on basic rates for all members covered by Procedure Agreement 1 (General Collective Bargaining)

b)    An additional 0.5% on the basic rate for those working as Infrastructure Assistant (IA Grade); Infrastructure Technician (IT Grade); Clerical Officer  Grade 2 (CO2 Grade); Clerical Officer Grade 3 (CO3 Grade); Professional & Technical Grade 1 (Grade PM1 Basic & Steps 1 -6 inclusive) and Apprentice. This will give a total increase of 2.5%

c)     A minimum increase in salary of £500 will be applied where implementation of a) and b) results in salary increase of less than £500.

d)    The levels of meal, lodging disturbance and associated allowances will be increased by 2%

 

Year Two

a)    2.5% increase or Jan 2017 RPI, whichever is greater, on basic rates for all members covered by Procedure Agreement 1 (General Collective Bargaining)

b)    An additional 0.5% on the basic rate for those working as Infrastructure Assistant (IA Grade); Infrastructure Technician (IT Grade); Clerical Officer  Grade 2 (CO2 Grade); Clerical Officer Grade 3 (CO3 Grade); Professional & Technical Grade 1 (Grade PM1 Basic & Steps 1 -6 inclusive) and Apprentice. This will give a total increase of 3%

c)     A minimum increase in salary of £500 will be applied where implementation of a) and b) results in salary of less than £500.

d)    The levels of meal, lodging disturbance and associated allowances will be increased by 2.5%

 

  

4 April 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 April 2017
Unipart Rail Doncaster Year One

  • 1.9% increase to base pay, effective

 

Year Two

  • 0.5% + CPI (CPI as of Jan 2017, published in Feb 2017) on base rate
  

1 April 2016

 

 

1 April 2017
Volkerrail ·         2% on basic rates or £400,

whichever is greater

·         2% to taxable allowances
Colas Rail Year One

·         2% increase on all base wages

 

Year Two

·         Increase of Feb RPI + 0.5%,

subject to a minimum increase of 2% and a maximum of 2.5%

 

Year Three

·         Increase of Feb RPI + 0.5%,

subject to a minimum increase of 2% and a maximum of 3.25%

  

1 April 2016

 

 

1 April 2017

 

 

 

 

1 April 2018
Train workshop and maintenance
Voestalpine VAE UK ·         2% increase to basic rates of pay for everyone

·         Maintain £400 bonus attendance bonus if Company remains.

·         Increase the employee’s Engagement Bonus from currently £175 to £325

 1 April 2016

Cleaning and catering
Carlisle Cleaning Services Ltd (Transpennine Express)
  • Living Wage (level recommended by the Living Wage Foundation) or 3%, whichever is greater
 1 April 2016
Carillion Year One

  • 2% or £520 to basic rates,

whichever is greater

 

Year Two

  • Feb RPI +0.5% or £535,

whichever is greater

  

1 April 2015

 

 

 

1 April 2016

Ships and Docks
DFDS
  • 2%

 

 1 Jan 2016
Heysham Ports ·         2% on basic pay

·         0.5% on basic pay

 

 1 Jan 2016

1 June 2016
Harwich International Port ·         2% increase on basic pay and variability

  • Changes to the long service awards
 1 Jan 2016

 
Serco Ltd (PNTL/ INS)
  • 2%
  • 2%
 1 April 2016

1 April 2017

 

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company (Sector)

Award

Effective From
BMW – Mini (Manufacturing) ·         3.5% 1 Jan 2016
Aldi (Retail) ·         3.07% for store assistants outside London 1 Feb 2016
Asda – N Ireland (Retail) ·         3.9% 1 April 2016
Crown Paints (Manufacturing) ·         2.625% 1 April 2016
Western Power Distribution (Utilities) ·         2.5% 1 April 2016

 

We use RPI and not other measures of inflation such as CPI or CPIH

RPI, which includes housing costs and excludes high earners’ spending, is the only inflation measure to use for negotiating pay (though referencing average earnings is also recommended for the coming period).

 

RPI is also used to calculate index-linked government bonds, privately issued index-linked bonds, National Savings and Investments, Corporation Tax, Business Rates, Alcohol Duty, Tobacco Duty, Gaming Duty, Air Passenger Duty, Vehicle Excise Duty, Climate Change Levy, car and van Fuel Benefit Charge, regulated rail fares, regulation of water and sewerage charges, indexation of British Telecom’s wholesale charges and interest payments on student loans

 

CPI is designed for comparing different EU countries’ economic performances and not for internal UK purposes. It excludes housing costs (though includes stockbrokers’ fees and foreign students’ university tuition fees), is calculated to a mathematical formula less responsive to price fluctuations and doesn’t adequately reflect changes to ordinary workers’ cost of living: so says the Royal Statistical Society.

 

Any attempt by an employer to link a pay award to CPI or a new variation CPIH must be refused and should be logged with the union’s National Policy Department.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

[1] The average of forecasts generally suggest a modest rise or fall.

 

While forecasts can be useful in indentifying a plausible trajectory for inflation and average earnings, the data is unreliable.

This is especially the case during periods of heightened volatility – such as now.

 

Accordingly, the main use of forecasts to us is as a negotiation tool with employers

and not as an accurate predictor of future changes to our members’ cost of living.

 

[2] https://www.economicperspectives.co.uk/downloads/HMT201605.pdf

[3] “Growth in compensation of employees is expected to accelerate as the labour market tightens further” http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/forecasts/2016_spring/uk_en.pdf

 

[4] Table at end of doc – entry labelled “compensation of employees” – final two columns

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/forecasts/2016_spring/uk_en.pdf

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TfL PENSION FUND – SUSPENSION OF TRANSFERS-IN

TfL PENSION FUND – SUSPENSION OF TRANSFERS-IN

I refer to my previous Circular NP/076/14, 11th April 2014, the RMT has been informed that the suspension of transfers-in from external pension sources has now ended. This will mean that from 1st April 2016 members of the TfL Pension Fund who have deferred (frozen) pension benefits are now able to consider transferring them into the TfL Pension Fund to buy extra pension benefits.

While the decision to transfer rests entirely with the individual member this is good news that members will again have this option.

The suspension began following the TfL Pension Fund 2009 Triennial Actuarial Valuation due to the increasing deficit and was agreed by the trustee following a request from the sponsoring employer. However, following the 2015 valuation the employer has not requested that the suspension continues.

You will recall that the RMT campaigned to get this suspension lifted from its implementation in 2009 and in 2013/14 this union collected over 200 signatures from TfL Pension Fund members which forced an “Extraordinary General Meeting” of the TfL Pension Fund which was held on 25th April 2014 to discuss this issue.

This union and its representatives have been proactive in trying to get the suspension lifted and without such pressure pension fund members may not have had the opportunity to enjoy this benefit again.

The National Executive Committee in consideration adopted the following report on 19th May 2016:

“We note that the suspension of transfers-in ended in March 2016. While it is a decision for members of the fund to decide whether or not to transfer benefits from external sources into the TfL Pension Fund, the fact that individuals now have this option is welcomed.

 It is further noted that RMT representatives and members forced an Extraordinary General Meeting of TfL Pension Fund in April 2014 to discuss this union’s opposition to the suspension of transfers-in. We therefore instruct the General Secretary to contact our members across LUL/TfL thanking them for their support on this important issue.

 Branches, Representatives & all Underground and Former LT Employers to be informed.”

 It is important that members who are considering transferring pension benefits into the TfL Pension Fund seek Independent Financial advice before doing so. The RMT are unable to offer such advice.

For further information regarding transferring-in please contact the TfL Pension Fund at:

TfL Pension Fund

Wing over Station

55 Broadway

London SW1H 0BD

Phone 020 7918 3733

 

www.tfl.gov.uk/pensionfund

I will keep you informed of developments.

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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Mayor Sadiq Khan on tube, rail and taxis

RMT calls for urgent meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan on tube, rail and taxis.

 

London’s main transport union RMT  today called for urgent talks with newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss a wide range of issues that the union says pose the biggest collective threat to transport services in the Capital since the Blitz.

The RMT union agenda for talks includes;

* The looming £2.9 billlion financial crisis ‎facing TFL as a result of Central Government attacks on the budget cooked up with the connivance of former mayor Boris Johnson.

* A growing over-crowding and safety threat on both tube and rail as demand outstrips capacity against a background of savage cuts to staffing and maintenance.

* The impact of the axing of ticket offices and nearly 900 station and platform staff on the tube – an issue that the union understands that the new mayor is prepared to review.

* The future of commuter rail services into London with RMT already engaged in a major industrial battle on Southern over the threat to jobs, ticket offices and passenger safety. A further strike in the guards safety dispute takes place on Wednesday.

* The systematic undermining of the licenced taxi trade in London.

* The safe introduction of Night Tube and the resolution of the on going industrial dispute involving engineering staff.

* The threat to jobs, and the current dispute, over the Lillie Bridge depot‎ bound up in a Boris Johnson speculative luxury housing project in Earls Court.

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

“London now has a new Mayor and the focus now shifts to the policy agenda‎. RMT has set out the issues and the sheer scale of the financial and capacity crisis facing the capital leaves London facing it’s biggest transport threat since the Blitz.

“RMT is seeking an urgent meeting with the new Mayor based on our agenda but no one should be under illusions and as far as the union is concerned it is “business as usual” as we fight for jobs, conditions, safety and services.”

 

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Working in a possession – May 2016

The Secretary

LONDON TRANSPORT REGIONAL COUNCIL

LU ENGINEERING BRANCH

Dear Colleague

 LUL SECTION 15 POSSESSIONS

Further to Head Office Circular NP/077/16, 1st March 2016, this matter has again been considered by the National Executive Committee. Discussions with the company have been continuing to our representatives satisfaction. The National Executive Committee carried the following resolution:

We note the report on file from the Lead Officer which sates that good progress has been made in the safe system of work in a possession. We further note that agreement of this document will be used to create a training programme so we therefore instruct the General Secretary to inform LU that we accept the document on safe access and working in possessions.

 However more work needs to be done on how possessions themselves are created so we therefore remain in dispute until this matter is resolved.

 Relevant Branch and LTRC to be informed.

I shall keep you informed of progress with this case. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety

 

Working in a possession 3 – May 2016 Final Draft

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Referendum on Membership of the European Union

Dear Colleagues,

Referendum on Membership of the European Union

As you may be aware, the referendum campaign surrounding UK membership of the European Union has now begun.

RMT policy on this matter was decided by rank and file members at the 2015 Annual General Meeting, and the union is campaigning for a Leave vote. The motion carried at the AGM was as follows:

 

THE EUROPEAN UNION REFERENDUM

 

That this Annual General Meeting notes the outcome of the UK general election on 7 May 2015 means that a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union will take place before the end of 2017.

 

We note that David Cameron has stated that his government intends to renegotiate terms of Britain’s EU membership by removing restrictions on big business and protecting special interests of banks and financial institutions based in the City of London, before recommending a ‘Yes’ vote for Britain to remain in the EU.

 

We note that the Tory government will be supported in their attempt to maintain Britain’s membership of the EU bosses’ club by the leadership of the parliamentary Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the Scottish and Welsh nationalist parties. This pro-EU coalition will be joined by the Confederation of British Industry and Institute of Directors, the TUC and most of Britain’s billionaire press-owners in calling for a ‘Yes’ vote.

 

RMT’s 2010 Annual General Meeting held in Aberdeen, adopted a policy to call for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union and to campaign for a vote for Britain to leave the EU in a referendum. RMT’s policy therefore is to campaign for a progressive ‘No’ vote to Britain’s membership of the EU.

 

This AGM instructs the General Secretary and Council of Executives to work to establish an alliance of trade unions, socialists and democrats calling for a ‘No’ vote in the coming referendum on Britain’s EU membership in order to ensure that the arguments for workers’ rights and public ownership outside of the Thatcherite straightjacket of the EU are made to British electors.

RMT has registered as an official “leave” campaigner with the Electoral Commission. The union has also affiliated to Trade Unionists against the European Union (http://tuaeu.co.uk/ and will be supporting and assisting initiatives by TAEU. The union will also provide speakers for socialist and progressive platforms against the EU. The union is also campaigning publicly with other unions, socialists and trade unionists who share our position.

Additionally, RMT will be promoting the following six key points direct to members across all sectors of the transport industry through the RMT NEWS, through branches and reps and through the union’s social media platforms. Copies of the below in leaflets and poster form will shortly be made available to Branches and Regional Councils.

1.    Leave the EU to end attacks on rail workers
New EU rail policies are set to further entrench rail privatisation and fragmentation. That will also mean more attacks or jobs and conditions and EU laws will make it impossible to bring all of rail back into public ownership.2.    Leave the EU to end attacks on seafarers and the offshore workers
The EU has promoted undercutting and social dumping leading to the decimation of UK seafarers. The same is now happening in the offshore sector. EU directives also require the tendering our public ferry services.

3.    Leave the EU to end attacks on workers’ rights
It’s a myth that the EU is in favour of workers. In fact the EU is developing a new policy framework to attack trade union rights, collective bargaining, job protections and wages. This is already being enforced in countries which have received EU “bailouts”.

4.    Leave the EU to end Austerity
If you join a union you expect members of the union to protect each other in times of trouble. The European Union has done the opposite. It has used the economic crisis to impose austerity and privatization on member states. Instead of protecting jobs and investment EU austerity is driving UK austerity.

5.    Leave the EU to stop the attack on our NHS
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) trade agreement being negotiated between the EU and the United States will promote big business at the expense government protections and organisations including our NHS! Environmental regulations, employment rights, food safety, privacy laws and many other safeguards will also be secondary to the right of corporations to make even bigger profits.

6.    Leave the EU to support democracy
The vast majority of the laws that affects our lives are now made in the EU and not the UK. We have no say over those Laws. As the late Tony Benn said in 1991…

“We are discussing whether the British people are to be allowed to elect those who make the laws under which they are governed. The argument is nothing to do with whether we should get more maternity leave from Madame Papandreou [a European Commissioner].”

I would be grateful if you could bring this Circular to the attention of all Branch members and I will keep you informed as to developments and initiatives in the campaign.

If you have any queries regarding the union’s campaign please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF SEAMEN'S STRIKE

RMT TO LAUNCH NEW BOOKLET ON FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF SEAMEN’S STRIKE IN DOVER

 

Shipping union RMT will be officially launching a new booklet – “TURNING THE TIDE” – marking the fiftieth anniversary of the 1966 seamen’s strike at the union’s biennial shipping general meeting in Dover today – Thursday 12th May.

 

There will be a press call and photo opportunity with delegates and visitors to the BGM at:

 

One pm – Thursday 12th May

RMT Dover Office

48 Snargate Street

Dover CT17 9BZ

 

Turning the Tide is a pamphlet specially commissioned by RMT to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1966 seamen’s strike and to ensure that a new generation of trade unionists can understand the background of this important dispute and learn the lessons from it that resonate with our work today.

 

The pamphlet has been written by former NUS staff member Jim Jump and starts by setting out the background to the dispute in the run up to 1966 and taking us right back to the early days of trade union organisation in the shipping industry at the end of the 19th century.

 

Extraordinary pictures have been sourced of the pivotal strike in the Port of Liverpool in 1911 which show thousands of workers and their supporters out on the streets of the City as part of a national six weeks of action which forced the dropping of the employers anti-union pledge and paved the way for national wage rates and the closed shop.

 

The pamphlet pulls no punches – taking readers through the dark days when the NUS refused to support the general strike, was thrown out of the TUC and didn’t return until the 1930’s by which time the depression was hammering jobs and wages throughout the industry. A “top down” approach remained in the union and it was left to local militants to fight wildcat actions with some jailed just after the second world war.

 

It was these industrial militants who were the backbone of the rank and file movement as the clock ticked down towards 1966.

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

 

“Turning the Tide” sets out a unique background to the looming dispute and a handy time-line through the forty seven days in 1966 that quite literally shook the country to its very foundations.

 

“With archive shots of “The Seaman”, and a rich use of contemporary pictures, this pamphlet will be seen in the future as an important educational and historical resource. It will be invaluable to anyone studying the industrial battles of the sixties and seventies.”

 

RMT National Secretary Steve Todd added:

 

“The publication explores the political climate at the time of the dispute and homes in on biographies of some of the “politically motivated men” named by Harold Wilson in his infamous quote.

 

“It also brings us bang up to date, explaining how the struggles for workplace justice that led to the 1966 strike are mirrored in the battles that RMT is engaged in across the shipping industry today.”

 

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Blacklisting Vindication

This happened at the High Court on 11th May:

 

9:30am – John McDonnell MP joins blacklisted workers outside the High Court celebrating their legal victory against the major construction firms. McDonnell reminds the crowd how he chaired the first ever meeting of the Blacklist Support Group back in 2009 with less than 10 people present – but now we have won a famous victory. McDonnell tells the 100s of supporters and the world’s media and his millions of twitter followers that “compensation is one thing, justice is another”

 

10:30am – Roy Bentham, blacklisted carpenter from Liverpool, makes an application not to be bound by the settlement agreement but to be able to continue to the full trial representing himself. Bentham tells the court how as a Hillsborough survivor he had waited 27 years for justice with many false hopes in courtrooms over the decades. He explains that he wants to continue to ensure that those responsible for the blacklist are called to account. “A bit of compensation here and there is not justice.”  There was a spontaneous round of applause and cheering from the packed public gallery.

Lord Justice Supperstone ruled against Roy and denied him the right to appeal. Responding Bentham said: “This will be judged in time because this hasn’t been justice today. I look at the episode in this courtroom as a failure of the British justice system”.

 

11am – Construction firms at the centre of the blacklisting conspiracy were forced to make a grovelling apology “for the distress and anxiety caused to workers and their families”. A six page agreed statement (attached) was read in open court which reads like a history of blacklisting in construction from the 1960s, covering the covert operations of the ‘Services Group’ within the notorious Economic League until the discovery of The Consulting Association blacklist in 2009. Senior company directors including Cullum McAlpine are named in the statement which ends with an apology from the firms.

 

While welcoming the agreed statement for putting on public record the shameful activities that have tarnished the reputation of an entire industry, blacklisted workers remain extremely skeptical about how genuine the apology really is. Even now the firms cannot bring themselves to use the toxic word ‘blacklisting’, despite the British Parliament passing the Blacklist Regulations 2010 in order to outlaw the disgraceful practice as a direct response to the Consulting Association scandal.

 

11:30am At the point where Caldercott QC apologised on behalf of the firms, the High Court hearing was interrupted for several minutes by chants of ‘No Justice – No Peace’ by blacklisted workers and an impromptu speech by Dave Smith who told the court, “Under no circumstances do we consider this to be a sincere apology.”

 

12:00 – The judge rules the High Court blacklisting group litigation  is concluded – blacklisted workers, lawyers and supporters went to the pub to celebrate our victory.

 

BSG would like to publicly thank all the legal teams who have worked on out behalf over many years but especially JC townsend and Liam Dunne who have been with us from the very start. Without GCR, there would not have been any High Court litigation.

 

 

Blacklist Support Group statement:

“The victory in the High Court is vindication for our campaign..

The multi-million pound settlements are a major hit for any organisation.

The admissions wrung out of the blacklisting companies are enormous.

 

The grassroots campaign combined with the legal fight has brought us to this point. But the Blacklist Support Group do not agree with the wording of the apology, nor do we think it is sincere.

The only thing the firms are sorry for is getting caught.

This is not the end of the matter – this is unfinished business.

 

Blacklist Support Group demand a full public inquiry to fully expose the blacklisting human rights conspiracy and the collusion between big business and the shadowy anti-democratic elements within the police. We are hardworking men and women used to getting our hands dirty. We are not giving up until the job is completed

 

Full justice still needs to be fought for – but tonight we celebrate

All those who have stood with us over the past 7 years, raise a glass to celebrate”.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/11/construction-firms-apologise-in-court-over-blacklist

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/payouts-for-blacklisted-workers-confirmed-amid-high-court-protests-34705298.html

http://m.building.co.uk/5081639.article?mobilesite=enabled

 

Blacklist Support Group

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

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

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

 

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Blacklist Update

  1. High Court

Construction firms pay out millions to settle more blacklisting claims but the fight for justice continues.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-5820-Blacklist-wretches-pay-250m#.VyhdvfkrLs0

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/29/blacklisted-workers-secure-compensation-construction-firms

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britains-biggest-building-firms-agree-7864460

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36173104

http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/contractors-settle-blacklisting-litigation

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/unite-statement-on-blacklisting/

 

  1. Hillsborough

Blacklist Support Group would like to pay tribute to the tremendous campaign by the families and supporters of the 96 football fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough. Their 27 year campaign for justice has finally been vindicated in court with the verdict of unlawful killing. The Hillsborough campaigns are an inspiration to millions around the world and prove that when we are steadfast in our fight for the truth, even the rich and powerful will be brought to account in the end.

 

  1. Third elected MSP found on blacklist

https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/3906/rosie-kane-former-msp-was-on-blacklist-of-trade-unionists-and-activists

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/its-sinister-ex-socialist-msp-7817196#ICID=sharebar_facebook#TVowEfMjw34m2vp4.97

 

Academic who criticized Police Scotland is on blacklist – but his file has been destroyed

http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/14464136.Blacklisted__Scots_law_lecturer_named_in_secret__do_not_employ__dossier/

 

  1. Workers Memorial Day

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/construction-workers-queensferry-crossing-vote-7858841#RQygmlqMZ2EWHuV8.97

 

  1. Scottish Labour Election Manifesto:

“A Scottish Labour Government will stand up for citizens’ individual rights and protect the Human Rights Act. We will right the wrongs for the people denied that basic human right to work — a Scottish Labour Government will deliver a full inquiry into the practice of blacklisting trade unionists in Scotland”.

 

  1. ‘Blacklisted’ is shortlisted for the Bread & Roses book award 2016

Sat 7th May at London Radical Bookfair

http://www.bread-and-roses.co.uk/

 

  1. Strikes & Protests

North Sea

http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/8253/breaking-industrial-action-in-north-sea-as-63-sea-shell-workers-down-tools-and-demand-choppers/

https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/42608/Unofficial%20strike%20on%20the%20North%20Sea%20rigs:%20send%20solidarity

 

Solidarity with scaffs and labourers striking for one rate for the job at the Polmadie waste-to-energy site, Glasgow. Next 48 hour strike Tuesday 3 May

NG Bailey – direct employment

 

Victimized union activists:

https://camdenunison.org.uk/2016/04/27/camden-unison-members-vote-for-strike-action-in-defence-of-victimised-steward/

http://www.uniteforoursociety.org/page/speakout/justice-for-alison-

 

  1. Undercover police

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/25/woman-who-lived-with-police-spy-criticises-bbc-drama-undercover?CMP=share_btn_tw

 

 

Blacklist Support Group

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

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

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

 

 

Posted on

BALLOTING STARTS TODAY ON TUBE LINES STAFF

 

 

BALLOTING STARTS TODAY IN NIGHT TUBE PAY AND PENSIONS DISPUTE INVOLVING TUBE LINES STAFF

Tube union RMT confirmed today that a ballot for action involving nearly 1500 Tube Lines maintenance and engineering staff over Night Tube pay and pensions will open today – Tuesday 3rd May – and close on Tuesday 24th May 2016.

The dispute is over the companies refusal to discuss outstanding pensions issues until after the eventual launch of the Night Tube operation.  There are also major unresolved issues over Night Tube staffing arrangements and a threat to undermine PRP agreements through Tube Lines refusing to base budgets on the negotiated levels of Performance Related Pay.

The key issues at the heart of the dispute in detail are:

Pay & Night Tube

There are some important differences between the London Underground offer and the Tube Lines offer which are unacceptable to RMT.

Firstly, the wording in the LUL offer refers to an “all-night passenger service operation on a Friday and Saturday night”, whereas the Tube Lines offer refers to “a 24-hour passenger service operation”. RMT Reps have sought clarification on this point and management admitted that acceptance would mean agreeing to the principle of 24-hour running any night – this could mean running more than 2 nights at Bank Holidays or Special Events.

Secondly, LUL has recruited more staff where additional resources are needed, for example additional Night Tube CSAs and new ‘part time’ Train Operators. The position from Tube Lines is that all staff have to work on Night Tube and all rosters will be changed to reflect this: “Full implementation of the Sunday to Thursday rosters to support Night Tube Operations”. The response from RMT is that Tube Lines members should also be given the same opportunities as BCV and LUL workers and allowed to opt out and if necessary move to SSL Lines.

Pensions

Tube Lines came under the umbrella of TfL in 2011 and RMT representatives have been demanding that former Tube Lines employees are given the same pension and travel rights as other LUL employees. In respect of the latter this has been concluded but due to managements’ stance the pensions issue is yet to be resolved.

After lengthy discussions on cost efficiencies to pay for pensions for all Tube Lines members an agreement and time scale was agreed between RMT, Tube Lines, LUL & TFL in 2015. However management demanded a no strike clause be added to the agreement.

Although the union has been in discussions with TFL/LUL/TLL, talks were halted when LUL started pay negotiations and since then the company have refused to talk to the RMT about the pensions issue. Tube Lines management are now demanding that the pay offer is accepted and Night Tube is launched and running successfully before they will reopen discussions on pensions.

Without agreement on these other issues RMT members are being refused pension parity with their LUL colleagues.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash said:

“RMT members are furious at the cynical way that Tube Lines have attempted to tie in attacks on pensions with the offer on Pay and Night Tube and our reps for this group of over a thousand safety-critical staff have unanimously thrown the whole package out. As a result, the ballot for both strike action and action short of a strike opens today.

“There are also major unresolved issues over the Tube Lines staffing arrangements for the Night Tube.

“It is absolutely essential now that there is the earliest possible resumption of serious and meaningful talks on these issues and the union is ready to engage in those talks.

“In the meantime, the ballot continues .”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Working in Possessions: Code of Practice

Following discussions on safety on the track with regards to the Section 15 dispute, it was recognised that there was issues on how safe management of staff working in a Possession was undertaken. To this end our health and safety reps on LUL and Tube Lines have been working with management to produce the following final draft ‘Working in Possessions: Code of Practice’.

 

Working in a possession 3 – May 2016 Final Draft

 

This document is now being reviewed by the RMT National Executive and if they accept it, this will then be used to produce the detailed training that staff will need to be safe at work.

The RMT will then start to negotiate on how Possessions are created and maintained (Section 15 of the Rule Book) and our dispute still remains live with plenty of work to do before we can be fully satisfied that our members are safe when working on the Track.

Posted on

Ex-UKPN Pay 2015: Update

The RMT and its sister unions met with LUL Management last week to discuss the issue of the difference between the final year of the UKPN and the first year of the LUL Pay Deal i.e the 2015 element of both deals.

LUL have stated that ex-UKPN will only receive RPI + 0.25% and not the LUL deal of RPI + £500 consolidated into the salary. They also stated that moving forward they would be placed into year 2 of the LUL deal going forward.

The RMT contended that this was not acceptable. It was not fair to put people onto a multi-year deal without them receiving the full benefit of the higher pay rise for 2015.

We also argued that the agreement we reached with the company was for ALL grades and did not exclude any members of staff whatever contractual terms they was on.

LUL refused to budge on the issue despite the RMT, supported by the TSSA union, continuing to push them on the issue.

The meeting ended with us stating that we wished LUL to put their position formally to us in writing and that we would then go to our members to see what action to take next and to also seek a legal opinion on the matter.

The issue is clear, this is about being fair and it is about honouring agreements. The salient part of the agreement is below showing the agreement is for all members and accepted for ALL members.

 

RATES OF PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2015
In the context of this dispute settlement, recognising all elements, the following offer is made on Pay
2015:
Term: A 4 year deal covering 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2019
Basic Salary 1 April 2015
An average increase on Basic Salary of 2% from 1 April 2015 comprising as follows:
• 1% plus, a flat rate of £500 consolidated increase for all grades in recognition of our
transformation to a 24-hour passenger service operation

 

 

RMT accept Pay for ALL members

 

Dispute resolution LUL

 

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