Author: Paul

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March to Kill the Housing Bill housing demo

March to Kill the Housing Bill housing demo

January 30th

Start from Imperial War Museum 12pm ( SE1 6HZ)

March to Cameron’s publicly funded home in Downing Street for 2pm

The Housing Bill marks the end of social housing

The end of secure lifetime tenancies. Council tenancies will be for 2 to 5 years with no right to pass it on to your children. Landlords will have access to tenant’s personal income information and if households start to earn over £40,000 (a couple on the living wage) they will be hit with a PAY-TO-STAY TAX for the difference between their social rent and the market rent – in Waterloo that would be an average of £26,000.
Local authorities will be forced to sell ‘high value’ properties whenever they come vacant – what flat in London is not high value? Housing association tenants will get the right to buy, so reducing stock further
Private renters and travellers will have reduced housing rights. The Bill increases the eviction powers of landlords.
Developers will have to build ‘starter homes’ for sale instead of ‘affordable’ homes for rent. Starter homes will be worth up to £450,000 and sold at a 20% discount – but only to people with enough money to get that kind of a mortgage!

More information & comment

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-david-cameron-plans-destroy-7167743

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-housing-and-planning-bill-reveals-how-little-tory-mps-think-of-the-public-a6809951.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/john-healey/housing-bill_b_8959910.html

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/12/tory-bill-council-houses-labour

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/05/rob-poor-give-rich-housing-policy-2016

https://architectsforsocialhousing.wordpress.com/2015/12/17/the-end-of-social-housing/

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Section 15: VOTE YES for Safety

Less than 24 hours after talks broke down with LUL regarding Section 15 Possessions, there have been two further incidents underlining the warnings that the RMT gave that the whole process has casualised safe track access to such a point that serious injury or death was becoming inevitable.

LUL’s stance that these possessions could continue and that their ‘robust’ response to previous incidents meant they did not feel the need to suspend Section 15 Possession. This reply is now shown to be a aspirational and this remains purely an example of cost cutting over safety.

We now know, as we warned at the meeting, two issues occurred last night that saw staff on the track with traction current on and in a further incident, staff on the track with a train master unaware they was there.

The reality is Section 15 is building human error into a process and then throwing in untrained staff into a cocktail that leaves safe working to luck and not process.

As a result of the two incidents, LUL have stated ‘… the initial response is for Maintenance work to be separated from possessions where CPD/AP occupy the same space forthwith. This initial response will be reviewed next Wednesday’. However, this does not detract that the whole process should have been suspended on Thursday and then both these instances would not have occurred. Nor does a temporary reprieve (for AP alone) leave time to address the entirety of the madness of Section 15 that we are facing

We stand firm that we want our members to be safe at work. Suspend Section 15 Possessions and enter detailed and safety first talks with our health and safety representatives

VOTE YES FOR SAFETY

Section 15 Leaflet_further incidents

————————————————————————–

Incident 1

Irregula – 15/01/2016 02:15 – Hounslow West To Hatton Cross

HSE Incident Notification

Incident 51703336 has been reported and requires immediate action.

Please view the details below:

Incident Details

Incident 51703336
Incident Date & Time 15/01/2016 02:15
Incident Summary APJNP – TRACK&CIVILS – Operational Irregula – 15/01/2016 02:15 – Hounslow West To Hatton Cross

Reporter Details

Name of Person Reporting De Jager, Mr. Lourens
Company
Contact Number 07841231015
Contact Email Lourens.DeJager@tubelines.com

Incident Accountability

Directorate Asset Performance JNP
Business Unit Track & Civils
Department Piccadilly Line Track
Contractor Involved
Responsible Senior Manager Ian, Mr. Bailey

Incident Details

Location of Incident Hounslow West To Hatton Cross
EB
Line P
Incident Category Operational Irregularity
Weather Conditions N/A

Incident Description

A patrol man who was due to undertake a patrol through a possession booked on with the Lead SPC and was given access but was later challenged by a Train master in the possession as he was not aware of the patrol.

Immediate Action

Partol man reported incident to his line manager and IRF raised.

—————————————————————————–

Incident 2

LU Incident – 51702711 – APJNP – TRANSPLANT – TBA – 15/01/2016 01:25 – Station Building – Paddington Stn

HSE Incident Notification

Incident 51702711 has been reported and requires immediate action.

Please view the details below:

Incident Details

Incident 51702711
Incident Date & Time 15/01/2016 01:25
Incident Summary APJNP – TRANSPLANT – TBA – 15/01/2016 01:25 – Station Building – Paddington Stn

Reporter Details

Name of Person Reporting Kortlang, Mr. Leslie
Company
Contact Number 020 7918 9048
Contact Email Les.Kortlang@tubelines.com

Incident Accountability

Directorate Asset Performance JNP
Business Unit Transplant
Department Transplant rail operations
Contractor Involved
Responsible Senior Manager Pereira, Mr. Andrew

Incident Details

Location of Incident Station Building – Paddington Stn
Line B
Incident Category TBA
Weather Conditions dry

Incident Description

After platform briefing was given by trainmaster of train 630, he informed staff that traction current had been discharged and that it was safe to commence work. The engineer’s train operator went on to the platform 2 track, to uncouple the train, when it was notice by one of the train drivers that current on indication was still showing as live in the driver’s cab.

Immediate Action

Staff cleared from the track , current re-checked with a Crid and current was found to be still on.

This message was sent on behalf of the Metro Maximo Administrator

 

 

 

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"SAY YES TO SAFETY ON THE TRACK SAY NO TO SECTION 15"

Emergency talks ended in failure today when LUL refused to suspend the use of section 15 Possessions in the face of serious concerns from the RMT over their safety and a belief that someone may be killed.

LU’s proposed cuts to safe working in possessions, we believe, will result in fatalities. We have already seen a near-miss involving a engineers train, staff left on the track unprotected and over runs where associated traction areas are being left on.

 As a result and after trying to raise concerns with management numerous times; RMT is being forced to ballot members in London Underground and Tube Lines Members who work on the track

The ballot papers are arriving NOW.

VOTE YES for both Strike Action and Action Short of a Strike

RMT’s concerns about Section 15 are many and range from:

  • Lack of and even no training for staff so they know how to implement and work safely in a Section 15 Possession
  • Staff and trains being mixed in together with an inadequate safe system of work
  • Ending tried and tested access through the Track Access Controllers
  • Failure to complete consultation with the RMT prior to implementation to avoid the obvious pit falls of this policy
  • Ending a zero death culture and replacing it with an ill conceived and rapidly implemented process based on saving money

 The RMT will not let management play fast and loose with our members lives to save a few pounds.

 

Latest Leaflet

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Latest LUL Circular

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND NIGHT TUBE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/0001)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/299/15, 4th December 2015), and as members will be aware, RMT suspended industrial action in September 2015 to allow discussions at ACAS to continue. However we also strenuously reiterated the fact that the dispute situation was NOT RESOLVED and that we would reinstate industrial action if and when necessary if our just demands on pay and night tube were not met. Throughout this dispute, RMT has continuously asked for the pay discussions to be separate from the night tube discussions but the Company has always rejected this position.

 

The Union returned to discussions with the Company to seek improvements to the latest offer received from LUL and try to reach an agreement over night tube. Unfortunately it has now been reported that there has been a complete failure by LUL to work through the detail of implementing night tube.

 

This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which has noted the total breakdown of negotiations over the linked issues of pay and night tube, and taken the decision to call on all LUL Members (excl. Fleet) NOT TO BOOK ON for any shifts that commence between:-

 

  • 21:00 hours on Tuesday 26th January 2016 and 20:59 hours on Wednesday 27th January 2016.

 

  • 21:00 hours on Monday 15th February 2016 and 20:59 hours on Tuesday 16th February 2016.

 

  • 21:00 hours on Wednesday 17th February 2016 and 20:59 hours on Thursday 18th February 2016.

 

All LUL Fleet members NOT TO BOOK ON for any shifts that commence between:-

 

  • 18:30 hours on Tuesday 26th January 2016 and 18:29 hours on Wednesday 27th January 2016.

 

  • 18:30 hours on Monday 15th February 2016 and 18:29 hours on Tuesday 16th February 2016.

 

  • 18:30 hours on Wednesday 17th February 2016 and 18:29 hours on Thursday 18th February 2016.

 

As before, this action is in conjunction with members in other Unions. We remain available for talks and I will of course keep you advised of all further developments.

 

EVERY JOB MATTERS – DEFENDING JOBS ON LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/5)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/321/15, 23rd December 2015), and as members will be aware, at the time of calling the continuous overtime ban from Sunday 3rd January 2016, the Lead Officer had written to LUL seeking assurances that there will be no imposition of a new framework agreement, that staff will not be forced to sign new contracts and that rosters will not be imposed. At a meeting with the Company last week, management gave their response, which was a total refusal of our requests. They further advised that rosters and a new framework agreement will be imposed on the 7th February, regardless of whether or not any agreement has been reached.

 

The critical issues in this dispute that remain outstanding include no agreement over a new framework agreement, the proposed rosters do not comply with current agreements or assurances given regarding weekend working, the Company are denying promotion and career prospects by recruiting externally, there is no guaranteed protection of earnings and no guarantee that vacancies on rosters will be filled.

 

Following discussions between the RMT Reps, Senior Assistant General Secretary, Regional Organiser and National Executive Committee, the National Executive Committee has taken the decision to instruct all RMT Station Grades NOT TO BOOK ON FOR SHIFTS between the following times:-

 

  • 21:00 hours on Tuesday 26th January 2016 and 20:59 hours on Wednesday 27th January 2016.

 

  • 21:00 hours on Monday 15th February 2016 and 20:59 hours on Tuesday 16th February 2016.

 

  • 21:00 hours on Wednesday 17th February 2016 and 20:59 hours on Thursday 18th February 2016.

 

NB: To comply with legal advice the overtime ban is suspended for the duration of the strikes but will commence again immediately after each strike ends and continuously from 21:00 hours on Thursday 18th February 2016.

 

Also, the National Executive Committee has taken the decision for all station staff grades to take a week of action from the imposition of the rosters and new operating model on Sunday 7th February through to Saturday 13th Feburary. The nature of this action will be confirmed in due course and I will of course keep you advised of all further developments.

 

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2015 AND NIGHT RUNNING – TUBE LINES AP JNP (LUL/0001/TL)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/321/15, 23rd December 2015), the Company has now been informed that a dispute situation still exists between us as the offer which it has tabled in respect of the above, including an offer in respect of moving to a 24-hour service, has been rejected by RMT. Also, at a recent meeting with the Company management advised that any acceptance of the offer would mean an acceptance of renegotiation of rosters in preparation for night tube. In response, RMT made a counter proposal that the long running saga of pensions parity for Tube Lines AP JNP staff be included in any final deal. This counter proposal was rejected by management, although they did state that on acceptance of the pay offer, fresh talks could begin around pensions. This position/offer was rejected and as a result, the National Executive Committee took the decision to conduct the ballot for industrial action.

 

The ballot papers will be posted out to members on Wednesday 13th January 2016. The closing date for this ballot is Thursday 28th January 2016 and I will keep you advised of all further developments.

 

TRACK PATROLLING, CLEHSAR STAFF – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/1)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/276, 12th November 2015), members will recall the decision to ballot all operational permanent way track staff for strike action and action short of a strike. This dispute is over LUL’s decision to train Cleshar’s staff to undertake track patrolling duties, which has not been agreed by RMT. It is a clear breach of our agreements, represents a casualisation of members’ jobs and is a direct attack on their job security.

 

The ballot papers will be posted out to affected members on Tuesday 19th January and the closing date for this ballot is Tuesday 2nd February 2016. I will keep you advised of all further developments.

 

DISCIPLINARY, GLEN HART – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/4)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/261, 29th October 2015), the National Executive Committee has considered a report from the Lead Officer and also noted from the LTRC that there is strong support for Glen from our members across all London Underground grades and taken the decision to conduct a ballot for strike action and action short of a strike.

 

I have advised LUL that a dispute situation exists over the continued suspension and threat of disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against RMT Rep Glen Hart. Also that this dispute situation will remain in place until this matter is resolved to my members’ satisfaction and Glen Hart is reinstated to his full substantive role.

 

The ballot papers will be posted out to all London Underground members on Thursday 21st January and the closing date for this ballot is Thursday 4th February 2016. I will keep you advised of all further developments.

 

SECTION 15 – POSSESSIONS – LONDON UNDERGROUND and SECTION 15 – POSSESSIONS – TUBE LINES AP JNP (LUL/22/2)

 

As Branches and members will be aware, a dispute situation currently exists between us, LUL and Tube Lines AP JNP in respect of the above. I can advise that the ballot papers will be posted out to members on Wednesday 13th January 2016, the closing date for this ballot is Thursday 28th January 2016 and I will keep you advised of all further developments.

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Section 15 Dispute

Emergency talks are due to take place today with both LUL and Tube Lines regarding the changes to track access that have been incorporated within the Section 15 of the rule book and association Operational Safety Notice.

The RMT will be pushing that the ‘deregulation’ of track access away from the tried and tested Track Access Controllers is a recipe for disaster and our members will not accept downgrading their safety to save money.

Interestingly, LUL has been arguing that the incident on the Piccadilly Line was not a Section 15 issue but an issue of Possession Access. A very interesting argument indeed as it looks like they are admitting that ALL possessions are dangerous so maybe our action will need to be extended to include ALL possessions!

The reality is that Section 15 has led to chaos within track access. The RMT believe that someone will end up being killed and this is why:

  • Lack of and even no training for staff so they know how to implement and work safely in a Section 15 Possession
  • Staff and trains being mixed in together with an inadequate safe system of work
  • Ending tried and tested access through the Track Access Controllers
  • Failure to complete consultation with the RMT prior to implementation
  • Ending a zero death culture and replacing it with an ill conceived and rapidly implemented process based on saving money

The harsh truth is that almost all roles, all briefings, the planning, the auditing and implementation have all been thrown into the air and we believe enough is enough. We hope LUL and Tube Lines see sense, get back to proper and meaningful talks and make sure that our tried and tested ways of working continue to keep us safe

Section 15 Leaflet

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RMT slams "pathetic" fine over death

RMT slams “pathetic” fine handed out to contractor after rail worker death

 

RAIL UNION RMT today slammed as “pathetic” and “wholly inadequate” a fine handed out to a major rail construction company for a series of failures that led to the avoidable death of one of their workers

Carillion Construction Ltd has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £36,570.39 following a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for breaching health and safety laws which led to the death of a Scott Dobson. On 4 December 2012, Scott, from Doncaster, was carrying out maintenance work near Saxilby, Lincolnshire, when he was struck by a passing train.

As part of its statutory duties, ORR investigated and found a series of failings in Carillion’s planning and management of the work. Only one of the two railway lines had been blocked while maintenance was being done, whereas both lines should have been closed, to minimise the possibility of workers being struck by passing trains.

Carillion Construction Ltd pleaded guilty at Lincolnshire Magistrates’ Court.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways told the press:

“This accident was wholly avoidable, had Carillion Construction Ltd followed health and safety rules set out for the railways. Our sympathies are with Mr Dobson’s family.

“The safety of workers and passengers is a top priority for the regulator, which is why ORR inspectors are out on the railway daily, monitoring to ensure safety isn’t compromised.”

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

 

“A fine of £200,000 to a giant company like Carillion is peanuts and will be written off as petty cash. This is a pathetic and wholly inadequate penalty for a series of corporate errors that led to the wholly avoidable death of Scott Dobson.

 

“This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call to Network Rail and our industry as a whole. The culture of contracting and casualisation on our railways means that corners are being cut and safety compromised. That cash-led gambling with rail workers’ lives has to stop and should be called to a halt right now before we have more avoidable deaths on our hands.”

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10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL – BOB CROW NATIONAL EDUCATION CENTRE.  

 

It was on the 18th October 2006 that the recently renamed Bob Crow National Education Centre was opened by our union. In succeeding 10 years the centre has expanded and developed into a first class residential Trade Union Education Centre. To mark this 10 year anniversary the Centre will be organising a Festival to celebrate the educational work and facilities the Union is rightly proud of.

 

The Festival will take place on Friday 29th July 2016 at the Bob Crow National Education Centre, opening at 11.00hrs and closing at 17.00hrs. Entry will be by free ticket (s). The festival will be very much an RMT family event, with food, refreshments, live music and guest speakers throughout the day. An extended invitation to our Trade Union friends affiliated to the TUC and GFTU will also be made.

 

If members and their families wish to attend you should request tickets from the National Education Officer at a.gilchrist@rmt.org.uk or in writing to Bob Crow National Education Centre, 47-49 Thorne Road, Doncaster, DN1 2EX

 

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Blacklisting Event

Liverpool football fans who have been blacklisted by construction companies for being members of a trade union or raising concerns about safety on building sites will be holding a protest against the use of Carillion to build the new stand at Anfield at the Liverpool v Man United this Sunday.

 

Blacklist Support Group are linking up with the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and the Merseyside Construction Committee at the televised Liverpool v Man Utd match.

Sunday 17th January 2016

11-12:30

Main Stand Anfield

Liverpool Football Club

Assemble: Albert Pub next to the Hillsborough Justice Campaign shop.

 

Invited speakers: Sheila Coleman (Hillsborough Justice Campaign), Ricky Tomlinson, Dave Smith (blacklisted by Carillion), Joe Rollins (Orgreave Justice Campaign) and Ian Prowse with the latter singing the iconic ‘My name is Dessie Warren’ song.

 

Football is a working class game. Undercover police have conspired to infiltrate both trade unions and the grieving Hillsborough families fighting for justice. Two struggles, One fight for justice.

 

Carillion are currently defendants in the blacklisting High Court group litigation set for full trail in May. The firm has already made an apology to the court, admitting their active involvement in the notorious Economic League and Consulting Association blacklisting scandal over a period of decades.

 

Sunday’s protest has been organised by Roy Bentham, himself a blacklisted carpenter from Liverpool and leading figure in both the Blacklist Support Group and Spirit of Shankly, the unofficial Liverpool football fans union. Roy Bentham commented:

“Carillion are only sorry they got caught and not for what they were systematically complicit in. No one has ever been disciplined or let alone sacked for indulging in this insidious practice against construction workers who are lifelong supporters of Liverpool Football Club.

We don’t just want this rogue company kicked off this project, we want them kicked out of this proud working class city”

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LUL Pay & Night Tube Strike Dates

RMT confirms programme of action on London Underground over pay, Night Tube and job cuts

Tube union RMT today confirmed that its executive has agreed to a wide ranging programme of industrial action across London Underground grades in two separate disputes over pay and night tube and the plans to bulldoze through massive cuts to station staffing numbers early next month.

On pay and night tube ALL grades called out follows

 

  • Fleet grades not to book on for any shifts between 18.30 hours 26th January 2016 and 18.29 hours 27th January 2016. All other grades not to book on between 21.00 hours 26th January 2016 and 20.59 hours 27th January 2016

 

  • Fleet grades not to book on for any shifts between 18.30 hours 15th February 2016 and 18.29 hours 16th February 2016. All other grades not to book on between 21.00 hours 15th February 2016 and 20.59 hours 16th February 2016

 

  • Fleet grades not to book on for any shifts between 18.30 hours 17th February 2016 and 18.29 hours 18th February 2016. All other grades not to book on between 21.00 hours 17th February 2016 and 20.59 hours 18th February 2016

 

Every job matters /Fit for the future station job cuts programme

 

  • All station staff grades to take a week of action from the imposition of the rosters and new operating model on Sunday 7th February through to Saturday 13th February 2016 – the nature of that industrial action to be confirmed in due course.

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“RMT members are furious at the bodged introduction of the Mayor’s Night Tube plans and the fact that they have been tied in with a pay deal that has left our members dangling on a string and out of pocket since April last year. RMT supports the principle of a properly worked out Night Tube service introduced through agreement with the unions but the abject failure to work through the detail has led to a comprehensive breakdown in the negotiations and has forced us to name a programme of further industrial action. This whole situation could have been avoided if London Underground, under direction from the Mayor, had dealt with the Night Tube professionally from the off instead of resorting to ultimatums and imposition.

“RMT has fought for more jobs on the Underground to cope with the added pressures of Night Tube but those jobs must be within the framework of the existing tube operations and must offer career opportunities to the Underground’s existing staff, including existing drivers who may choose to take up the offer of reducing their hours.

“On the station staffing crisis it is absolutely crazy to be bulldozing through and imposing new rosters linked to the axing of over 800 safety-critical jobs from early next month when there is a heightened security status and when services are dangerously overcrowded across the network.  The current plans also rip up previous agreements to protect staff caught in the middle of this reorganisation. The station staff are the eyes and ears of the Underground and hacking back their numbers represents a lethal gamble with safety that RMT will continue to fight against.

“RMT remains available for talks in both disputes.”

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LUL Track Work Outsourcing

LUL Track Work Outsourcing

Despite numerous appeals to LUL to withdraw from training Cleshars’ staff to undertake track patrolling, they have now decided to start line based familiarisation and assessments. This cannot be tolerated and makes no economic sense. The harsh reality, in this time of economic cuts to the budget, is that LUL pay way over a £1200 a week for these staff once trained and have their own internal staff that are able and willing to do higher grade working to do these patrols. To be clear:

THERE IS NO ECONOMIC REASON TO OUTSOURCE TRACK PATROLLING

If it is not about economics then it would be easy to see this as a direct attack on the one core area of Permanent Way work that has not been handed over piece meal to private companies. LUL gave a toe hold to contractors in minor works and now LUL are opening the door to see the last vestige of core internal and skilled work placed into the hands of organisations driven by profit.

LUL have also hinted that this is about Night Tube and the need to change rosters. Yet when our members have said they are willing to look at changing their rosters to move to a Sunday to Thursday shift pattern, did management bite their hand off? NO, they instead escalated the issue and started to assess Cleshars’ staff on the Victoria Line.

This confrontational approach can no longer be ignored. The truth is there is no longer any choice, we have to stand up and defend Track Patrolling.

The entire Permanent Way staff across LUL are therefore about to be balloted in an attempt to show LUL our member’s resolve and their strength of feeling. However, should LUL continue with their path, then we may also need to consider whether an all grades situation exists.

The solution is clear, we are NOT against the workers, LUL have available vacancies for Track Staff and it makes sense that these staff would be suitable  for these roles. So it’s now down to management, get back into talks with the RMT, stop the rhetoric and let’s make sure that safety critical track walks are completed professional, safely and more cost effectively by INTERNAL LUL employees.

Latest Leaflet

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WITHDRAWAL OF REST DAYS, TRACK & CIVILS STAFF – TUBE LINES

WITHDRAWAL OF REST DAYS, TRACK & CIVILS STAFF – TUBE LINES (AP JNP)

 Our Track members across Tube Lines have delivered a massive majority for strike action and action short of strike.

We are now in the process of seeking urgent talks with the company in the hope that common sense will prevail and an agreement can be reached that matches the aspirations of our members.

The results are below:

Are you prepared to take strike action?

Total Votes Cast                37

Number Voting ‘Yes’           34

Number Voting ‘No’            3

Spoilt Papers                     0

Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

Total Votes Cast                37

Number Voting ‘Yes’           37

Number Voting ‘No’            0

Spoilt Papers                     0

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