Just to update you all that our branch website has now been migrated onto a new software package that should help us to continue to update the look of our site. We have also commissioned an APP to be developed to take our communication ability to another level. The APP will be ready in approximately January.
Category: Branch
Serious about equality
RMT takes equal opportunities seriously.
This means listening to women, black and ethnic minority, lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender members. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with respect and dignity in the workplace.
RMT listens to its members and has three National Advisory Committees:
- Black and Ethnic Minority Members’ Advisory Committee
- Women’s Advisory Committee
- LGBT Members’ Advisory Committee
Nominations are now being invited from Branches for all of the Advisory Committees for the next three year term, January 2016 – December 2018.
If you want to be nominated, contact your Branch Secretary for more details. Members do make a difference and by joining together, we can change things for the better.
Join us in our fight for equality – make your voice heard! Equality Matters
TFL Pension Consultative Council – Section 3 Election
Two positions are due for re-election for the TFL Pension Consultative Council – Section 3 and we would strongly urge you to vote to support the two existing members seeking re-election: Paul O’Brien and Paul Murphy
VOTE FOR THE TWO PAUL’S
Campaign Poster: Glenroy Watson for RMT President
Please see below the latest poster for Glenroy
Campaign Poster for Glenroy watson standing for President 2016 – 2018
Welcome New Starters
Branch Secretary Paul Jackson,
Mob: 07810 643 681
Email: LUEngineering@rmt.org.uk,
Email (LUL Addresses): PaulJackson.rmt@gmail.com
Welcome to the RMT.
Dear Colleague,
Our Branch looks after many of the activities of the Infrastructure companies that undertake work on London Underground. We are currently the largest RMT Branch in the country and have very many diverse roles among our membership. These range from the General Secretary of the RMT (who is in our Branch) to high ranking managers, from Permanent Way Staff to administrative staff. We even have a lorry driver! We currently have members from nearly forty different companies and we can proudly state that we are an ALL GRADES union.
As a new member you may well have a few questions about what is going on within the union, who your local representations are, sort out any problems or advice that you need etc. One good place to find these answers is by coming to the Union Branch Meetings. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Savoy Tup, 2 Savoy St, The Strand, London. WC2R 0BA. This is only a few minutes walk from Holborn, Temple or Covent Garden stations. You can also just give me a call or email me on the contact details shown above and I will be more than happy assist you. Also please check that your details are correct (this can be done online at www.rmt.org.uk) and you notify your union if you change locations or grades.
Below are also some phone numbers to RMT Helplines that you may find useful:
Criminal Helpline: 07659 118 181
Personal Injury: 08457 125 495
RMT Helpline (non-work related legal): 0800 376 3706 or email info@rmt.org.uk
You can also find out more info at www.luengineeringrmt.co.uk
Or join ‘like’ us on facebook www.facebook.com/luengineering.rmt or ‘follow’ us on twitter https://twitter.com/LUEngineering
Many thanks,
Paul Jackson
Section 15: Why it is dangerous
The RMT have massive safety concerns ref Section 15. Let’s be straight about this too. This is NOT a safer replacement for Track Access Controllers, but a slippage in safety for us to work on the track without fear.
LUL have now stated that they will be suspended the trial soon to undertake talks with the RMT. However, by not suspending the trial immediately suggests they have already made up their minds.
So why do we think this is dangerous. Here are a just a few reasons why?
- There has been little to no consultation with H&S reps and in particular Track and Signals.
- There are no banners to define possession limits.
- There is no protection in place to protect the possession.
- There is potential for confusion regarding Engineering or traffic hours working as section 15 blurs the lines.
- There have been eIRFs raised by other trial sites.
- There is no staff training on section 15 possessions.
- There are no management briefings on section 15 possession trail.
- There is genuine potential for confusion regarding train movements in the worksite/ within possession limits.
- There is confusion on 5 minute call back time compared to existing practice and may cause people to rush giving up protection to avoid train delays.
- Working Risk Assessment is historical and not generic to the new working practices.
- Potential confusion between TAC and Controller.
- Success criteria in the DRACCT has not been meet, so trial is already unsuccessful.
With regards to the Amersham trial last week.
- The Possession limits were not defined
- There were no traction current limits
- Traction arrangements state a section in not in the possession plan
- There was no protection at the south end possession limits.
- The contingency plan is confusing and no built in fail safe procedure.
- The Change Control, EIC can change anything on the night with no controls in place.
There is obvious an Industrial element to this change too with Protection Master roles and Track Access Controllers jobs being under threat. To find out more come to the next Branch meeting on 3rd August at 18:00 Conway Hall
New Branch Expenses Claim form
Report National Engineering Grades Conference 2015
Report on the National Women’s Advisory Committee Wednesday 10 June 15
Report on the National Women’s Advisory Committee Wednesday 10 June 15
There are 40 Members for the RMT National Women’s Advisory Committee with 10 vacancies still open. Our meetings are very well attended with lots of interaction and views about various issues.
The General Secretary Mick Cash was in attendance today. He gave a talk on the current events and some disputes which were ongoing around the country.
Janet Cassidy of North Clyde Branch announced that she was retiring from her job and so was standing down from her positions in the RMT. She will be taking up other duties in the STUC. Mick Cask presented her with flowers and some crystal glasses to thank her for all the hard work that she had contributed to the RMT.
We also welcomed three members of the Council of Executives (CoE) to our meeting. A written report was received from the Equal Rights Sub-Committee which came from the resolutions put to the CoE. Please see review below:
- RMT – Coverage of Equalities Issues
The view of the Committee was that the coverage of women’s and other equality issues has been good and reasonably prominent in the RMT News given the pressures on space in the journal.
- Challenging Sexism and Sexual Harassment at Work
The following actions are being carried out:
- Negotiate a sexual harassment policy with all companies with whom we have recognition.
- Ensure all industrial and health and safety representatives are trained in identifying and dealing with sexual harassment and;
- Produce a guidance booklet and place before the CoE after consulting with our advisory committees.
- Violence Against Women Transport Workers Poster
The poster which was produced by the RMT is being printed up and will be distributed to the Branches before the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November.
The next RMT National Women’s Conference 2016 will be held in Scarborough. The dates are to be confirmed as the March dates are conflicting with others conferences taking place.
There is a Women’s training course taking place in Doncaster on 25-26 September. All Women members are welcome to attend.
The Women’s Advisory Committee are Celebrating 100 Years of Women in the RMT at the Houses of Parliament, 25 November 2015 between 5-7pm. The RMT Parliamentary Group will be invited to speak. Further details will follow about the invitations to this event.
One resolution was discussed which was supporting two women members, ISS cleaners who were subject to physical sexual harassment. On discussion we felt that a letter of support and a petition should be arranged.
The next meetings will be 23 September and 25 November.
Facebook and Twitter
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https://www.facebook.com/luengineering.rmt
or ‘follow’ us on twitter to receive the latest updates?
Emergency resolution to RMT AGM 2015: Anti-Trade Union Laws
The following resolution was carried at our branch last night
Emergency resolution to RMT AGM 2015
Anti-Trade Union Laws
This AGM condemns planned attacks on trade union rights by a Try government serving the rich and powerful.
The government proposes to make any strike in the rail industry illegal unless 50% of eligible voters take part in the ballot AND 40% of eligible members vote in favour; This from a government that was voted for by less than 25% of those eligible to vote in the General Election.
RMT will approach other transport unions and propose a joint campaign against the proposed legislation. RMT will also approach other trade unions who represent members in essential services including Unite, Unison, FBU, teaching unions and others to mount a joint campaign.
RMT will submit resolutions to the TUC in 2015 calling for:
- A campaign against further anti-union legislation amongst trade unions representing members in essential services and in the wider trade union movement.
- A commitment for the TUC to organise a general strike should legal action be taken against any trade union or trade unionist in connection with the proposed Tory laws.
Emergency resolution to RMT AGM 2015: RMT and Political Strategy
The following resolution was carried at our Branch meeting last night
Emergency resolution to RMT AGM 2015
RMT and Political Strategy
The establishment of a majority Tory government will put this union on an unavoidable collision course with the new administration. The new government has immediately stated its intention to introduce further anti-trade union laws; to intensify attacks on welfare and to privatise more of our public services. RMT commits to fight against this agenda, which serves only the rich and powerful and was supported by less than 25% of the British electorate.
The failure of the Labour Party to mobilise sufficient support to defeat the Tories is a result of decades of political retreat that has left Labour insufficiently distinguishable from the Conservatives. Labour’s insistence on balancing the budget by cutting welfare and public services as well as focusing of immigration control gave credibility to Tory lies that Britain can no longer afford welfare and rising wages.
The SNP was able to pose as being to the left of Labour because of Labour’s slavish adherence to Tory spending plans. UKIP were able to take large votes from Labour in working class areas because of Labour’s failure to offer an alternative.
This AGM believes that the 2015 General Election, and reaction inside the Labour Party since the election, vindicates the decision of RMT to call for a new workers party and to support TUSC and other left wing and progressive candidates in local and general elections (including some Labour candidates). RMT will continue to adopt this approach under rule. However we feel that it would be a backward political step to re-affiliate to the Labour Party as it would prevent our union working with and backing non Labour Party candidates and prevent us from backing TUSC and other socialist and progressive candidates. It would also cut us off from the most progressive section of the working class in Scotland who have turned their back on the Labour Party.
RMT will now step up our campaign to win support, throughout the trade union movement for a new workers party based on trade unionism and socialism. We will appeal to other trade unions to take part in a debate about the political representation of the working class.