Category: RMT

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EXHAUST FUMES AND ALARMS – HOUNSLOW TUNNELS

EXHAUST FUMES AND ALARMS – HOUNSLOW TUNNELS

A report and correspondence came in from the Relief Regional Organiser and from RMT members working on track tamping machines in tunnels around the Hounslow area. The concern appears to be the use of additional diesel powered generators being used in tunnel sections and/or shut and cut areas. There was also a concern over an alarm sounding to give notice of excess fumes in the area and a person from the contracting company attempted to remove them by placing them up his jumper and under his PPE jacket.

The National Executive has taken the following decision:

“That we note the report on file.

 This NEC is extremely concerned with the content of this report, where an individual’s disregard to safety equipment could potentially have had serious implications on our members Health & Safety. Accordingly, we instruct the General Secretary to immediately follow this issue up through the effected Health & Safety representatives and a report to be placed back in front of this NEC within 14 days. All further developments to be placed before us. Branches and regional councils to be advised”   

 I am in the process of carrying out those instructions.

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

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

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ASBESTOS DEATHS

ASBESTOS DEATHS

There continues to be asbestos all around the railway infrastructure and in other locations where we also organise. RMT Members are reminded almost monthly of the damage and loss that occurs amongst our members, families and friends due to the continuous attack on people’s health by asbestos and its fatal associated diseases. Members have called for the elimination and safe removal of asbestos from across all infrastructures, and to campaign politically and industrially to have this goal reached. Activities and campaigns planned include the following, and we fully expect this programme to develop and expand.

Article on Asbestos Deaths and the development of the campaign will be in the April issue of RMT News.

  • There will be a follow up article in the next issue of RMT News from Thompsons detailing in more detail the RMT asbestos register and how many members are protected by it against future claims, how much the PI team at Thompsons have secured in damages.
  • Health and Safety RMT Conference 2016 had as its theme Cancer at Home – Cancer in the Workplace. All delegates to conference have received a copy of RMT/TUC Occupational Cancer – Workplace Guide.
  • With regard to the high profile campaign it should be noted that the TUC is currently running a similar campaign “Remove this killer dust – make all workplaces asbestos free”. This campaign has broadly similar aims: A political campaign to force employers to survey their workplaces by 2022 and to have all asbestos removed by 2035. This campaign stems from an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Health and Safety report – “Why Britain needs an eradication law.”
  • TUC are currently focusing on opposition to the Trade Union Bill but have indicated they would welcome support from affiliates.

The National Executive has taken the following decision:

“That we note the report on file and welcome the forthcoming articles on asbestos to be published in RMT News. We also note the TUC Asbestos Eradication Campaign and instruct the General Secretary to ensure RMT join this campaign. A further progress report to be placed back infront of the NEC during stats week of June 2016.

 Branches and regional councils to be advised”   

 I am in the process of carrying out those instructions.

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

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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Major Transport Projects may be Compromised

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

“Major transport infrastructure projects are compromised by a failure to plan for the future in terms of the skilled workforce Britain needs to drive forwards.

“There has been a catastrophic failure in terms of workforce planning with skilled engineers seen for too long as a group that can be kicked about, downgraded and casualised with severe consequences for the country as a whole.

“The government need to get a grip and they need to do it now if we are to address the skills gap in the transport industry that RMT says is all set to worsen in the future. ”

 

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RMT SETS OUT SIX KEY REASONS FOR LEAVING THE EU

TRANSPORT UNION RMT SETS OUT SIX KEY REASONS FOR LEAVING THE EU

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today set out six key reasons why it will be advising members to vote to the leave the EU in the forthcoming referendum:

 

  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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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”.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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].”

RMT will be promoting the six key points direct to members across all sectors of the transport industry through the union’s RMT NEWS, through branches and reps and through the union’s social media platforms.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“RMT is proud to stand up for the tradition of progressive and socialist opposition to the European Union, an organisation wedded to privatisation, austerity and attacking democracy.

“It would be frankly ludicrous for a union like ours to support staying in a bosses club that seeks to ban the public ownership of our railways, attacks the shipping and offshore sectors and embraces the privatisation of the NHS and other essential services that our members depend on.

“RMT has set out the six core reasons for our members to vote to leave and we will be campaigning hard on this platform.”

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YOUNG MEMBERS CONFERENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

To: All BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & REGIONAL OFFICES

Dear Colleagues.

YOUNG MEMBERS CONFERENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Following the closing of nominations for the Young Members Advisory Committee on the 31st March 2016 I can confirm the following are elected unopposed to represent their respective Regional Councils on the Advisory Committee until March 2019, unless they reach the age of 30 during their term. The full RMT Young Members Advisory Committee is now as follows:

  1. Region: South West

Name:

  • Matthew Trotter
  • Zack Rosen
  1. Region: Wessex

Name:

  • John Costello
  • Kate Stokes
  • Matthew Williams
  • Matthew Morris
  1. Region : London Transport

Name:

  • Daniel Randall – Bakerloo
  • Lorna Tooley (Committee Chair) – East Ham
  1. Region : South Wales & West

Name:

  •  Liam Mapp
  • Darren Lee Thomas
  • Oliver William Alvis
  1. Midlands Region

Name:

  • Joshua Nullis

 

The National Education Officer will continue to provide Secretarial support to the Committee.

 

I know you will join with me in congratulating the new committee members and wish them well in taking forward the work of the committee on behalf of all RMT Young Members. I do sincerely hope that Regional Councils will continue to work towards maximising their representation on this key committee.

 

Yours Sincerely

RMT GENERAL SECRETARY

 

 

 

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LUL Circular 4th April 2016

OFFICIAL CIRCULAR

 

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REPRESENTATIVES

ALL UNDERGROUND AND FORMER LT EMPLOYERS

 4th April 2016                                                                           Circular No: IR/092/16

Dear Colleagues,

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, DRIVERS, HAMMERSMITH & CITY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/299/15, 4th December 2015), the Lead Officer advised that the issues affecting members on the Hammersmith & City Line include breaches of the attendance at work policy, an overbearing management team, refusal to release reps for meetings and misuse of the disciplinary policy. A dispute resolution meeting was arranged for Thursday 17th December where numerous problems were raised and assurances given by the line management team however, some of the actions which were promised to address the issues have not taken place and industrial relations have deteriorated as a result.

A further resolution has also been received from our Hammersmith & City Branch calling for a ballot of Train Operator members at Edgware Road for strike action and action short of a strike due to a breakdown in industrial relations and abuse of agreements.

The National Executive Committee has now taken the decision to advise the Company that we are now in dispute and arrange an immediate meeting with management and the relevant representatives and Branch Secretary. I am currently acting in accordance with this decision and will keep you advised of all further developments.

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2015 – ISS (TUBE LINES AP JNP CONTRACT) (LUL/0001/ISS(TL))

 Further to my previous Circular (IR/243/15, 13th October 2015), the Lead Officer has confirmed that the 2015 pay award included paying the London Living Wage, effective 1st April 2015, to all those members to whom it is applicable and other grades received a 3.2% backdated increase later in the year. The National Executive Committee has noted that the 2015 pay review is now concluded and will consider the 2016 pay review when there is an offer on the table.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

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Last Weeks Pic Line Drivers Strike

Solidarity from LUEngineering Branch to the Drivers striking to stop Bullying on the Pic Line

From Last Week

Piccadilly line strike action rock solid

TUBE UNION RMT said that strike action by drivers on the Piccadilly Line is rock-solid this morning in a dispute over bullying and harassment of staff that has led to a complete breakdown in industrial relations. All services are currently suspended and will remain so throughout the rest of the day.

RMT says that responsibility for the strike, and the disruption to services, rests squarely with the LU management who have allowed a culture of bullying and harassment of staff to build up over a number of years on the line as drivers have been subjected to the abuse and misuse of disciplinary processes and left to take the rap for systemic failures with the aging Piccadilly Line fleet.

Mick Cash RMT General Secretary said:

“RMT congratulates our members for the rock-solid and determined support for today’s action. They are making a stand against bullying, the ripping up of procedures and in defence of the safety of staff and passengers alike.

“The blame for this action rests solely with the LU management who have walked away from numerous opportunities to resolve the issues at the heart of this dispute. It is time for LU on the Piccadilly Line to end the macho posturing and start talking seriously with our representatives.”

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RMT INTERNAL STRUCTURE – WALES REGIONAL COUNCIL

RMT INTERNAL STRUCTURE – WALES REGIONAL COUNCIL

Under Item No. 41, the 2011 Annual General Meeting adopted a resolution to commission an independent review of our internal structure and to report back to the 2012 Annual General Meeting with any recommendations deemed necessary. Due to the proposals regarding a merger between RMT and the TSSA, this matter was postponed while discussions took place.

The Executive Committee determined that a review of the internal structure would be best served by involving the RMT’s Branches and Regional Councils, the Council of Executives, Regional Officials, National Officials, Grades Conferences and Advisory bodies. As part of the review, responses were sought and distributed within the Union’s structures. The matter was also placed before the 2014 AGM under Item No. 72 which included a timetable recommended by the Executive Committee which, via a consultation document, would ultimately lead to finalised proposals and alterations to the Rules being placed before the 2015 AGM. Under Items 82 (a – f) and 90 (a – f), the principles of the proposals and alterations to Rule were adopted by conference.

However, within the Executive Committee’s consultation document, it was recommended that any proposal regarding the creation of a Wales Regional Council should be delayed until the 2016 AGM due to the wider consultation that was taking place. The recommendation was adopted and the matter regarding the creation of a Wales Regional Council was referred to the Organisation, Training & Education Sub-Committee as separate items for review, examination and report.

At a Special Meeting of the newly formed National Executive Committee on 10th February 2016, the following Organising, Training & Education Sub-Committee report was noted and adopted:

 “That we instruct the General Secretary to write to branches and regional councils affected seeking their views on the creation of a Wales Regional Council based on the Welsh Assembly boundaries.”

Accordingly, while I am writing to all Branches and Regional Councils for reference, I should be grateful if the respective branches and regional councils, as per the NEC decision, submit their responses to this office by Wednesday 1st June 2016. This will enable all responses to be collated and presented to the National Executive Committee at the Statutory Meeting in June 2016.

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Report on the 2016 RMT Women's Conference

There were just over 50 RMT Members who attended the Conference this year.

This was another well attended Conference with 5 speakers on various subjects and 4 main reports from the RMT Women’s Advisory, TUC Women’s, STUC and European Transport Federation Committees.

The Assistant General Secretary Mick Lynch was in attendance today. He gave a talk on the current events around the country and the Membership of Women which to date is 14% of the RMT averaging 11,500.

We also welcomed Kathy Mazur who is a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to our conference. A written report was received from the Equal Rights Sub-Committee which came from the resolutions put to the NEC. Please see review below:

There were four resolutions carried at last year’s conference

  • Female Carers

 This was the first to be sent to the AGM 2015 where it was passed unanimously.

‘We instruct the General Secretary to write to employers about flexible working arrangements and carer responsibilities in line with the sentiments of the AGM decision.’ This has been carried out.

  • Support Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women (KMEWO)

This resolution was the first to be referred directly to the NEC. The following actions are being carried out by the NEC on the 1st June 2015:

‘That we agree with the sentiments and instruct the General Secretary to write to the TUC seeking their opinion regarding the situation.’

The reply was put back to the NEC in September 2015. The TUC informed us that they had no plans to visit the region due to the internal problems within the Kurdish Trade Union Movement. However there had been discussion about the possibility of financial support to promote women’s involvement.

Contact was made with KMEWO by the RMT in the stance of a support letter which was received on 24 November 2015 with much appreciation from the Director and the KMEWO Domestic Abuse Service’s Development Manager.

  • Sexual Assault Against Women Passengers

This was the second resolution sent onto the RMT AGM from last year’s Women’s Conference where it was once again passed unanimously.

RMT continues to carry out numerous campaigns with our Parliamentary Group and others pointing out the dangers of de-staffing and the need to increase front line staff in the context of sexual assault. Examples of campaigns include the London Underground Tube and GTR ticket office closures and Northern Rail Franchise Agreements.

RMT are liaising with the TUC to increase union collaboration with the BTP and their programme to tackle sexual assault on public transport, ‘Project Guardian’.

We are looking at better ways of carrying out surveys of our members of their experience of helping victims of sexual assault other than through RMT News given the low return of previous surveys.

  • Violence Against Women Transport Workers Poster

This resolution was the second to be referred directly to the NEC.

The poster was named ‘‘Violence against Women Transport Workers – It’s not Part of the Job’ and the poster included this statement in number of different languages.

The poster which was produced by the RMT, printed up and distributed to the Branches before the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November 2015.

Our Speakers throughout the conference were (in no particular order):

  1. Vice –President , National Pensioner Convention (NPC) Jan Short
  2. Women’s Institute (WI) – The Scarborough Connection – Judith
  3. British Transport Police (BTP) : Child abuse – signs to spot and how to help – Andy Barnes
  4. Railway Chaplaincy , Network Rail – Angela Harwood
  5. Prisoners Rehabilitation Service – Scarborough Help Network

New Resolutions

  • Submitted by LU Engineering Branch

‘This Conference believes that some Women in the RMT are not aware that there is a Women’s Advisory Committee. In order to maximise our reputation (as with the badge that we sent out to all Women) we ask the NEC to support the RMT women activism by 3 distinctive points.

This resolution was moved by Val Barzey and seconded by Jennifer Kissi-Debra.

  • Submitted by Central Line East Branch

’This Conference believes that it is important that members and potential members see RMT as a diverse union which includes people like them. We note however that there are no female RMT Full Time Organisers.’

We therefore ask the union to organise a quarterly women’s organisinf week with central funding for members of the NWAC to have release from work to visit work places and take part in organising activities.

This resolution was moved by Jennie and seconded by Christine Willet.

Full details of any resolution can be obtained from the RMT Equalities Officer, Jess Webb.

Her e-mail address is: J.Webb@rmt.org.uk

The next RMT National Women’s Conference 2017 will be held in the Isle of Wight. The dates are to be confirmed.

The Chair for 2016 is Mary Jane Herbison and the Vice chair is Jennifer Kissi-Debra.

 

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Junior Doctors Strike

Transport union RMT pledges it’s continuing full support for junior doctors’ industrial action.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“RMT stands in full support of our junior doctors as once again they are forced to take industrial action in defence of the basic principle of decent working conditions for NHS staff who work round the clock saving lives.

“RMT members are urged to join the picket lines at their local hospital  to show solidarity with the junior doctors at this crucial point in their fight for justice. A delegation from RMT’S executive will be standing alongside our NHS colleagues at UCH this lunchtime.

“The NHS is the cornerstone of the post-war welfare state and it falls to the entire trade union movement to line up alongside those prepared to take action to defend it.”

 

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LUL Circular – Pay & Night Tube, EJM, Track Patrolling Cleshar, Glen Hart

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

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/011/16, 14th January 2016) all members will have received a copy of the revised offer from London Underground in respect of Pay, Night Tube and Fit for the Future Stations. For your ease of reference, the full offer can still be accessed on our website via

 

Dispute resolution proposal.

 

The mass meeting of our LUL Reps took place yesterday and having considered the views from this meeting, the National Executive Committee has taken the decision to suspend this week’s strike action. Members are therefore instructed to work as normal on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th January 2016.

 

Both these disputes, on Pay & Night Tube and on Every Job Matters will be considered by the National Executive Committee again on Thursday 28th January. The future strike dates in February currently remain in place and I will keep you advised of all further developments.

 

EVERY JOB MATTERS – DEFENDING JOBS ON LONDON UNDERGROUND

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/011/16, 14th January 2016) and in addition to the above, the National Executive Committee has recommitted to a Week of Action from Sunday 7th February 2016. All Station Grades members should be very clear that RMT has not, and has never accepted any part of the Fit for the Future Stations proposals.

 

To reiterate, as things stand there will be industrial action called for RMT Station Grades members during the WEEK OF ACTION COMMENCING SUNDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2016. Also, the overtime ban which has been in place for Station Grades since Sunday 3rd January 2016 is still on and I urge all members to CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE OVERTIME BAN. I will keep you advised of all further developments.

 

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

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/011/16, 14th January 2016), members will be aware of the dispute situation with London Underground over its decision to train Cleshar Staff to undertake track patrolling duties.

 

The ballot papers were 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/011/16, 14th January 2016), members will be aware of the dispute situation that exists with London Underground over the continued suspension and threat of disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against RMT Activist Glen Hart.

 

The ballot papers were 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.

 

DISMISSAL, R. GARD, CSA, BOND STREET – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/276/15, 12th November 2015), members will recall the case of Sister Rachel Gard who suffers from type 1 diabetes and was recently dismissed from London Underground. This matter has now been considered again by the National Executive Committee, which has noted the outcome of the Director’s review to uphold the decision to dismiss Sister Gard, and taken the decision to commence a ballot of our Customer Service Assistant members at Bond Street Station.

 

The Company has been advised that a dispute situation exists between us as it is the view of this Union that Sister Gard did not deserve the sanction of dismissal and that this member has been unfairly targeted on her disability.

 

The ballot papers will be posted out to members on Tuesday 26th January 2016. The closing date for this ballot is Tuesday 9th February 2016 and I will keep you advised of all further developments.

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