Author: Paul

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LUL Dispute

LUL BALLOT UPDATE

 

Latest Leaflet

 

ALL London Underground Workers will be receiving Ballot papers through their letter boxes in the next few days. This is a massive dispute by anyone’s standards and ALL the Tube Unions are standing together (RMT, Aslef and TSSA) and any strike is likely to have a massive impact across London. It is the actions of LUL that have driven those unions into dispute through sham talks and. The new Tory Government has stated their intention to change the law on Balloting to make it harder to take Industrial Action on the Tube, so it is vitally important that people get out and return those ballot papers as soon as they arrive.  Let’s show any changes in the Law will not defeat our right to fight.

PAY & Night Tube

LUL are demanding the Unions accept a below Inflation Pay Rise of a measly 0.75% effective from 1st April 2015, and an RPI increase in 2016. Also included, in return for the future operation of Night Tube, is a non-consolidated lump sum payment for all COO and CPD Operational to be paid at two stages of £250, making £500 in total. Train Drivers and Track and Signals staff only would be offered a further £250 for Night Tube running. Even then the extra £250 is ONLY paid to affected staff and not everyone (i.e. day signal and track staff are not being offered the extra £250). If that was not bad enough LUL have now decided to start imposition talks on how they intend to implement these changes. That in short is a declaration that they intend to drive a steam roller through our agreements on rosters.

CMO Roster Agreement

The shame is that talks in Engineering were progressing quite well until LUL decided almost randomly that they would impose a solution. Now we have managers jumping on the bandwagon with rosters that they’ve wanted for years such as on the Bakerloo and Victoria Line track, which have never even been proposed to your functional union reps, let alone discussed. The truth is that Signal Staff went on strike for that agreement, which in effect made rosters an issue of Negotiation. LUL cannot be allowed to rip up our agreements.

What did other companies get this year?

Network Rail 2% (gone to referendum)

Thales 1.68%

DLR 2% (referendum)

MP’s 10%

BALLOTING PERIOD – JUNE 16th – JUNE 30th

Ballot papers MUST be returned by June 30th

If you haven’t received a ballot paper please contact RMT membership department 0800 376 0376

 MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR VOTE

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Network Rail Pay Referendum

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS AND REGIONAL OFFICES

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

RATES OF PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2015 – NETWORK RAIL

 

Further to my previous circular IR/140/15 dated 1st June 2015, branches are advised that the new proposals from Network Rail have been discussed with our Area Council reps. Having considered the view of our representatives the GGC has decided to conduct a referendum with a recommendation to accept the offer. Voting papers are being dispatched from today with a closing date of Wednesday 24th June 2015.

 

The full details of the proposals are as follows: –

 

Pay

 

2015 – A 2% consolidated increase in basic rates of pay backdated to 1st January 2015.

 

2016 – A consolidated increase equal to November 2015 RPI with effect from 1st January 2016.

 

Importantly, as part of this proposed agreement, and in line with the views expressed by our Representatives at the consultation meetings, we have retained the link to the Retail Price Index (RPI) as part of the structure of agreements with Network Rail.

 

Redundancies

 

No compulsory redundancies for those members covered by this pay claim until 31st December 2016.

 

Job Security

 

Network Rail and the Trades Unions will enter into discussion to agree a comprehensive job security package working within the principles of PTR&R, which includes:

 

Voluntary Severance (VS)

Extending VS to those not affected but who want to go, via “bumping”

Publication of a national Network Rail vacancy list

Re-training

Relocation

Trial-period opportunities

 

Efficiency and Improvement Project (Completely separate from pay discussions)

 

Separate to the pay proposals, the latest offer provides for joint participation (under the auspices of ACAS) between Network Rail and your union in an Efficiency and Improvement Project to deliver savings.

 

This will not affect terms and conditions and these discussions would not hold up the pay offer for 2015/16. The General Grades Committee would consider any formal proposals that emerge and the affected members would be fully consulted in the normal way.  Any proposals would have to be agreed by the union.

 

The issues proposed for discussion are as follows: –

 

  • Safe and efficient working practices and processes which identify methods to drive down incidents and accidents.
  • Examine opportunities to reduce labour-only, agency, sub-contract supplier and consultancy costs.
  • Joint review to create opportunities in our maintenance, operations and controllers teams to enable enhanced efficiency and improvements.
  • Develop a forum between Network Rail and RMT, TSSA and Unite as appropriate, to examine options for reducing waste from the business to enable further efficiencies to be made.
  • Creating single ‘point care’ teams.
  • Cross boundary working for response teams within Route for incidents and disruption.
  • Develop technology for placing of detonators and PLBs thus releasing staff for other work.
  • Train and deploy resident signallers to work adjacent mechanical signal boxes on a voluntary basis for an agreed premium.

 

Final proposals on implementation plans for any agreed changes would be delivered by 30th November 2015.

 

Since last week concerns have been raised by members with regard to information posted on Network Rail’s website on Friday 5th June 2015. The company has clarified their position in writing to the General Secretary which is quoted below: –

 

  • “The remarks under the smarter working section were carried over from a previous posting and do not apply to the proposal made to RMT on Monday 1st June 2015.
  • The issues to be discussed in the Efficiency and Improvement Project are separate from the pay proposals and will not affect your members’ Terms and Conditions.
  • Specifically, the remarks on signalling engineers (S&T) team size on the website should not have appeared there and are withdrawn.  We will not table this matter during the Efficiency and Improvement Project meetings.
  • Our proposal listed specific items to be agreed through the Efficiency and Improvement Project and we look forward to jointly developing opportunities with the Trade Unions in this forum. “

 

Having considered this latest offer with our reps we believe it is a significant improvement and our recommendation is for members to accept it. It cannot be understated just how important the massive ballot result and the clear will of our members to take industrial action has been to achieving this improved offer.

 

This proposal will mean members get two years of consolidated pay increases and a two year no compulsory redundancy guarantee. Considering at the start they stated members would have to sell off terms and conditions in order to get a pay rise and refused to guarantee no redundancies, it is clear the solidarity and determination of members has forced Network Rail to move their position massively. As a democratic union, members will have the final say on this offer and should begin receiving their papers early next week.

 

If any member has not received their voting paper by Wednesday 17th June 2015 please ask them to  contact the National Helpline on 0800 376 3706 or by email to info@rmt.org.uk

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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'Fear is contagious, but not as contagious as courage'

Our Branch and Union will soon be heading into an unparalleled period of Industrial unrest and attacks from the Tory Government. Even our very own right to strike is being restricted in an attempt to strangle the life out of the Trade Union Movement. Attacks over pay and conditions will heighten and the spectre of Night Tube looms over us as an LUL management try to impose this vanity project on our members.

But it is worth remembering the power of the RMT lies within us all. Unity is our strength and determination to stand up and say no lays within our grasp. I felt it would be worth remembering some of Bob’s quotes and how he would be rallying us all to rise up and fear no one. Our members are never on their knees.

‘Fear is contagious, but not as contagious as courage’

‘If you fight you may lose, if you don’t fight you will always lose’

‘If one person spits it won’t make a difference, but if we all spit, we’ll drown the bastards’

‘Once again Tube management have jumped the gun and are trying to impose policies without agreement.’

‘It’s an ultimatum by LUL (London Underground Limited); it’s like Henry Ford saying you can have any colour you want as long as it’s black.’

 

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LUL Acas Report

ACAS REPORT Monday 8th June

Night Tube

We reiterated (again!) our joint all tube union (RMT, ASLEF, TSSA) position: Rescind in writing all LU letters putting night tube talks to local level, return talks to agreed level, address all aspects of all unions claims & remove no strike clause. They this time responded through ACAS that they didn’t agree with our interpretation of agreements & frameworks .

Pay

We again told them no pay cuts, no breaking agreements; they must comply with our normalisation of industrial relations demands first. No improved offer still a below inflation pay cut in real terms

No dates for further ACAS talks yet.

We need a big YES vote for strike action please from all union members

 

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BULLYING AND HARASSEMENT

Our Ref: HSR/1/9

Head Office Circular: NP/108/15

08th June 2015

 

The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

BULLYING AND HARASSEMENT

 

South London Rail Branch submitted the following resolution to the National Health & Safety Advisory Conference 2015:

 

We South London Rail Branch feel our reps should make sure the companies do not just pay lip service to their bullying and harassment policies but actively administer it. It should be a standing item to be discussed on all H&S inspections or meetings.

 

We feel our female staff are especially at risk and more so in such roles as cleaners which are often male dominated

 

The Council of Executives have noted and adopted the following report of their Health & Safety Sub-Committee:

 

That we note the contents of the resolution the General Secretary is instructed to place this matter through the Health and Safety machineries of all companies we negotiate with. It is essential that issues raised in this resolution are addressed seriously. Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

 

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep you informed of any further developments. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety

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National Lobby of Parliament for Palestine

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices

 

Monday 08th June 2015

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

National Lobby of Parliament for Palestine

 

The National Lobby of Parliament for Palestine will take place on Tuesday 23 June, from 2-6pm, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

 

As it gets closer, more and more people are contacting their MPs about the lobby. Informing and pressuring our representatives in Parliament is central to the campaign. This is the first lobby for Palestine that has taken place in this new parliament, so its crucial we send a strong message.

 

Please visit http://www.palestinecampaign.org/ to write to your MP and for more information.

 

Please make every effort to attend and encourage family and friends to come along.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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TUCG Annual Tolpuddle Seminar

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices

 

Monday 08th June 2015

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

TUCG Annual Tolpuddle Seminar

 

This year’s Trade Union Coordinating Group Annual Tolpuddle Seminar will take place on Tuesday 14th July, 2015 at 18.30 in the Jubilee Room, Houses of Parliament (St Stephens Entrance). Please allow 20 minutes to get through security.

 

The theme will be based around trade union rights, proposed Government attacks and how unions can continue to organise with tighter restrictions through the ‘snoopers charter’ etc… working on a positive strategy, and more widely about trade union roles in society.

 

The event is open to the public and I hope to see you there.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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International Brigade commemoration 2015

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices

 

Monday 08th June 2015

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

International Brigade commemoration 2015

 

This year’s commemoration at the International Brigade memorial in London’s Jubilee Gardens (Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX) will be held on Saturday 4 July.

 

Members of both the National Union of Railwaymen and the National Union of Seamen fought in the International Brigades and will be amongst those remembered on the day.

 

RMT is affiliated to the International Brigade Memorial Trust and I encourage you to attend.

 

I have attached a flyer for the event.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

International Brigade commemoration 2015

 

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Tube Lines Pensions

Circular Num: NP/105/15

 

To: The All Branches & Representatives

All Underground and Former LT Employers

 

Dear Colleagues,

PENSIONS AND PASSES – TUBE LINES

 

I refer to my previous Circular NP/002/14, 9th January 2014, as you will recall the RMT has been having a long running dispute with LUL in respect of former employees of Tube Lines being refused the same pension and travel rights as other LUL workers.

 

This dispute began in late 2011 when Tube Lines became a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL. While management argued at the time that the future ownership of Tube Lines was unknown, the RMT demanded that now Tube Lines came under the umbrella of TfL employees should be allowed to join the TfL Pension Fund and receive the same travel facilities as other LUL workers.

 

Management refused these demands and as a result former Tube Lines RMT members took industrial action in support of their claim.

 

As a result of this action management committed to looking at ways in which pension and travel parity could be achieved. However, management stated such equality would need to be funded by efficiencies and possible job cuts.

 

RMT representatives made it clear to management that they would not agree to any compulsory job cuts, however, so that meaningful discussions could take place to resolve this issue it was agreed to meet with management.

 

After many months of meetings with management the following progress has been made:

 

  • Travel Facilities – From 18th May 2015 former Tube Lines staff were able to claim a 75% refund for season tickets. This will be for all Tube Lines staff , including those TUPE transferred to LUL & TfL since 1st January 2013

 

These employees will also be able claim back this refund on existing annual season tickets, even if they are 11 months old

 

  • *Pensions – Former Tube Lines staff (non-operational) to be allowed membership of the TfL Pension Fund from August 2015. Operation staff to be allowed access of the TfL Pension Fund from 2nd September 2015

 

*While excellent progress has been made on pensions, our representatives have raised concerns in relation to the contents of the final agreement and some of the efficiencies which have been proposed by management. It has therefore been agreed by management to re-word the agreement and reconvene further meetings.

 

In consideration of a report from the RMT Regional Organiser of 18th May 2015, your General Grades Committee adopted the following report on 28th May 2015:

 

“We instruct the General Secretary to congratulate our Lead Officer and negotiators for achieving a 75% refund on season tickets for our members on Tube Lines.”

 

I will keep you informed of developments.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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MIGRANT WORKERS

 

The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

MIGRANT WORKERS

 

Please find attached a new publication from the T.U.C. in relation to migrant workers, it will prove to be a valuable tool for our reps in both the Industrial and Health & Safety sectors where we organise.

 

Working together is the key to continued industrial success and safer workplaces.

 

The booklet covers a wide range of issues and is well set out to assist our members & representatives on matters such as Welfare, PPE, Risk Assessment, Employment Status, Accident Reporting, First Aid Provision, Training and Working Together, along with detailed case studies.

 

There are contact web-sites towards the end of the booklet which can provide members and reps with further information as and when required.

 

The booklet can be downloaded from the following address;

 

Migrant Workers Guide

 

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety

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LUL Secret Plans for Night Tube

Senior Management have revealed their secret plans to force people to work Sunday to Thursday. The Head of Infrastructure Bakerloo, Central, Victoria and Waterloo & City Lines stated that he wanted to put all rostered track staff onto Sunday to Thurday and remove their rostered rest days despite this proposal never being placed before the Track and Signals Functional Council. LUL need to be mindful that last time they tried to force roster changes onto the Engineering side, they suffered a very bloody nose. So it is important to that should the talks at Acas fail, that we get as large a YES vote in the coming ballot to let LUL know that we will work with them on Night Tube but not at the expense of seeing our hard won agreements ripped up and dismissed.

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