Category: News

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NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

TO: THE SECRETARY

ALL BRANCHES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

REGIONAL ORGANISERS AND OFFICES

 

Dear Colleague,

 

ETF POSTER COMPETITION – NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

 

The European Transport Federation (ETF) Women’s Committee have launched a poster contest amongst its affiliates centred on a clear ‘no!’ to workplace violence. The contest will stand as ETF’s contribution to the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on 25th November 2014.  The slogan for the ETF poster contest is “Violence against women transport workers is not part of the job”.

 

Members are encouraged to enter this competition.  Suggested poster designs that the union could submit should be sent as a JPEG and the quality should be of high enough resolution so that they can be uploaded as pictures on the ETF website.  All entries must be submitted electronically (less than 10MB) and received by our Equal Opportunities Officer, Jessica Webb, by 18th November 2014.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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EX-METRONET GRADES

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, EX-METRONET GRADES – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)

 

Further to my previous Circular No. IR/42/14, 30th January 2014, talks aimed at resolving a range of issues affecting our ex-Metronet grades members have taken place at ACAS. These talks were positive and the General Grades Committee has noted the correspondence on file and that the LU Engineering Branch has indicated acceptance of the proposals. Also that an agreement has been reached to hold a workshop in relation to some of these issues within six weeks of the signing off of this agreement and that a director led review of the incident management organisation will also take place within this time frame. 

 

The GGC has congratulated the negotiating team for their steadfast resolve that also resulted in contract work being bought in house and has taken the decision to advise the Company of our acceptance of the proposals.

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Jackie D'Arby Retires

The Branch would like to thank Jackie for all the hard work that she has put into the Trade Union movement over the years. She has worked tirelessly to support her work colleagues and often represented people through the most appalling harassment and bullying possible.

She has been a role model for many people in our branch and we all wish her well in her retirement and look forward to seeing her on a regular basis at many events and demonstrations that Jackie has attended over the years

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Driverless Trains

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

 

Further to my last circular, a resolution has been received from our Central Line East Branch concerning the  Every Job Matters Campaign and highlighting the issue of Driverless Trains. Just last week London Underground unveiled the design of automatic trains which they believe will run without a Drivers by the mid 2020s. The union is fully committed to campaigning against Driverless trains which will be disastrous. Not only will cause the loss of jobs but we believe it is fundamentally an unsafe way of operating.

 

Although the recent focus has been on station staff, due to the immediacy of the “Fit for the future” proposals, we have always defended members’ jobs across all grades and functions within London Underground. There is a concerted plan at London Underground to slash jobs and impose “Condem” government led austerity.  Apart from their plans for stations, they plan automation in train maintenance, engineering, service control and train operation. Our position on all these issues will be included in our future campaign materials and with be raised in negotiations.

———————————————————————-

It is important to also see he timing of this announcement by the Mayor of London. Ever the opportunist, this announcement came out the same day as the LUL dispute announcement.

 

The reality is, that LUL have not got the money to push this through on anything like a medium term agenda. LUL is not the same as the docklands railway, there are not escape walkways along the length of the tunnel. Passenger density is massive and people are still needed to be on the train.

 

This is purely semantics and an attempt by a populist politician, rather than good old fashioned engineering and economic accountancy.

 

Boris, if you want to keep a promise, keep the ticket offices open instead 

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Cubic Pay 2014

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2014 – CUBIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (LUL/0001)

 

In line with Union Policy, a pay claim for an increase in pay and improved terms and conditions has been submitted. Negotiations have been on-going for some time and an offer of an increase of 2.25% has been tabled and it has been accepted by the GGC, following a meeting of our representatives and affected members at Unity House.

 

The company has been advised of our acceptance and I have requested that the increase is implemented at the earliest opportunity

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RELIGION/ BELIEF IN THE WORKPLACE

TO: THE SECRETARY

ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

EHRC RESEARCH INTO RELIGION OR BELIEF IN THE WORKPLACE

 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission have asked NatCen Social Research to investigate the effectiveness of legislation designed to protect people who hold a religion or belief or do not hold a religion or belief in the workplace.  The union has been contacted by NatCen Social Research to raise the profile of this research as they are particularly keen to hear about any members’ experiences in this field.

 

Participating in the study would involve completing a short online survey hosted on a secure website.  The contributions are anonymous.  The deadline for contributions is Friday 31 October.

 

For more information please see: http://www.natcen.ac.uk/taking-part/studies-in-field/religion-or-belief-in-the-workplace-and-service-delivery/

 

The survey is on:

https://surveys.natcen.ac.uk/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll?I.Project=P11319RELIGIONORBELIEF

 

If you have any questions do contact the NatCen Research team on religionorbelief@natcen.ac.uk or ring Freephone 0800 804 8129.

 

Should any member feel that they have suffered discrimination or harassment due to their religion or not having a religion in the workplace, they must discuss this with their representative immediately as they may need to complete an L2 Form and get legal advice on the issue.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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LUL PIP

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLANS – LONDON UNDERGROUND & TRANSPORT FOR LONDON (LUL/14/2)

 

Following discussions earlier this year, where RMT raised concerns over the use of Corrective Action Plans and Performance Improvements Plans (PIPs) leading more often than not, to the application of the Discipline at Work Procedure, the Company withdrew the interim guidelines that had been put in place. They have since revisited the temporary guidelines in order to give managers a broad approach but these guidelines no longer make reference to the Discipline at Work procedure.

 

A review of the revised document is currently taking place with your RMT Representatives and I will keep you informed of all developments.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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Violence Against Women

Please see the attached circular.

 

TO: THE SECRETARY

ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

UN DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

 

Further to an earlier Council of Executives Decision, the union will be hosting an event to raise awareness about the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, on 25th November.  Please do make a note of the details:

 

Venue:                                 P21 Gallery, 21 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD

Date:                     Tuesday 25th November 2014

Time:                     6.30pm light buffet

7.30pm speeches and presentations

 

The speeches will be followed by music and socialising.  The event is free and open to all RMT members.  It was an excellent event last year and I do encourage members to mark this important date.  Should you plan on attending, for the purposes of making the necessary catering arrangements, do let our Equal Opportunities Officer know (j.webb@rmt.org.uk).

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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Tube Strike OFF

 

 

 

www.rmt.org.uk

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

October 9th 2014

Immediate

 

RMT suspends tube action after substantial progress in ACAS talks

 

Tube union RMT has confirmed that industrial action due to commence on Tuesday evening on London Underground over the threat to jobs, working and conditions and services has been suspended following substantial progress in talks hosted by ACAS yesterday.

 

The talks have secured substantial movement in three key areas, enabling both the scheduled strike action and the on-going overtime ban to be suspended:

 

  • The company has confirmed that the assertion that the consultation over the planned measures was now complete has been removed and that further consultation will now take place.

 

  • LUL have accepted that the number of staffing posts threatened with removal will be further reduced. The figure has already been scaled back to 897 in earlier talks and the company have confirmed that there are now likely to be additional reductions.

 

  • The crucial principal of salary and location guarantee has been extended to all staff affected who have medical restrictions. The union considers movement on this point to be absolutely crucial.

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said ;

 

“Thanks to both the solidarity and determination of our members, and the hard work of our negotiators in the ACAS talks, RMT has been able to secure significant movement in three key areas which have allowed our executive to suspend both the action scheduled for next week and the on-going overtime ban.

 

“The substantial improvements we have agreed allow us to move forwards but the Union’s core opposition to the austerity-led cuts on London Underground has not shifted an inch and we remain vigilant to further developments and their impact.”

 

 

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LUL Dispute: Acas

Dear Colleagues,

 

Following the threat of overwhelming and unified strike action on the tube, LUL have agreed to attend ACAS with the RMT. With the real threat of action against the company, we hope that LUL make real concessions that will protect our membership and set a template for future cuts.

Do not be fooled by what this is about, this is a Government led austerity drive, taking money from your pockets ultimately to pay for their own mistakes and the mistakes of their mates the bankers. $4 billion of cuts is the backdrop to this and a mayor that wants to become the next Tory leader. The only thing that we can rely on is our own strength and it is that strength that will see us prevail in this dispute. Whatever happens, there will be more attempts at cuts, whether that’s a fit for signals or attack on our pensions, these battles never stop. However, our ability to rise to these attacks and remain strong can also not be doubted

Remember, Unity is our strength and if LUL are expecting weakness now or in the future they will be sadly mistaken.

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Rainbow International

AFFILIATION: RAINBOW INTERNATIONAL LGBT ACTIVIST SOLIDARITY FUND

 

At this year’s AGM the following resolution was passed unanimously:

 

“This Conference notes the important work of the Rainbow International LGBT Activist Solidarity Fund to provide vital financial assistance to frontline, grassroots, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights activists under attack or threat in the countries where being LGBT is illegal, and where people face discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

 

This Conference also notes that:

  • Being gay remains illegal in 76 countries across the world, and in 10 of these is punishable by death or life imprisonment.
  • In February 2014, Ugandan President Museveni signed a bill into law criminalising LGBT people and punishing anyone who supports LGBT equality with life imprisonment.
  • In Russia, it is now illegal to speak in public about being LGBT, and Putin’s draconian anti-gay laws have led to an upsurge in homophobic vigilantism.
  • In January 2014, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan approved a law prescribing 14 years imprisonment for LGBT people. Since the signing of this law, there has been mob violence, many arrests, and the Nigerian LGBT community is living in fear.
  • Gambian President Yahya Jammeh recently said, “We will fight these vermin called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes”

 

This Conference shares the vision of the Rainbow International LGBT Activist Solidarity Fund of a world of true equality, justice, sexual liberation, and working class unity – free from any form of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

 

This Conference calls upon the RMT to:

  • Affiliate to the Rainbow International LGBT Activist Solidarity Fund.
  • Encourage all RMT Regional Councils and Branches to affiliate.”

 

I am acting in accordance with this resolution and do indeed encourage all RMT Regional Councils and Branches to affiliate. The local rate is £50 and regional rate is £100.  More information can be found on their website http://www.rainbow-international-fund.org/affiliate-with-us

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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