Author: Paul

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RMT RESPONDS TO LATEST STATEMENTS FROM LU'S NICK BROWN

General Secretary Mick Cash said

“The offer tabled by London Underground is just a rehash ‎of an earlier package and does nothing to tackle the fundamental issue of our members being called into work at the beck and call of management to plug staffing gaps in the Mayor’s botched Night Tube plans.

“This dispute is not about money, it’s about being able to plan for and enjoy some downtime with friends and family away from work. The current plans wreck that and the unilateral issuing of the new rosters has simply inflamed the situation .

“It’s obvious to most people that if you expand and extend a service then you need more staff and not less. That is the crucial issue. Instead of conducting talks through the media LU should be back round the table with the unions sorting out a solution to this mess. ‎”

In response to Boris Johnsons demand that the rehashed offer be put to members Cash added;

‎”We have a network of elected representatives who consulted members across the combine and the latest rehashed offer was universally rejected. We are not about to start taking lectures in democracy from Boris Johnson and instead of grandstanding in the media he should be instructing his officials to get back into serious talks with the trade unions which address the fundamental staffing issues thrown up by his Night Tube plans.”

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RMT calls for indefinite suspension of botched Night Tube plans

RMT calls for indefinite suspension of botched Night Tube plans

 

TUBE UNION RMT today called for an immediate and indefinite suspension of the Mayor’s Night Tube vanity project warning that is so fundamentally flawed from top to bottom it risks wrecking expensive infrastructure, compromising staff and passenger safety and leaving essential safety critical engineering and maintenance works on the shelf in a move that will lead to breakdowns and disruption on an unprecedented scale.

 

RMT says that is an open secret across the job that senior managers do not believe that the Night Tube is deliverable on the 12th September without unleashing repeated chaos. As a result of the project being dumped on tube bosses on a political whim without proper planning the most basic preparation and planning has not been carried out, not least in terms of calculating and costing the additional staff that will be needed to deliver it without imosing rosters from hell on the existing workforce.

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;

 

“Despite all the bluster from Boris Johnson Londoner’s need to be aware that Night Tube was rushed and botched from the off and that is why five weeks before it starts staff are striking because they will not accept that their work/life balance should be wrecked to plug the gaping holes in staffing capacity that should have been dealt with from day one.

 

“It is a measure of the current shambles that no further talks are planned and staffing posts essential to delivering a safe extension of operating hours are still being axed. That is ridiculous.

 

“Millions of week day commuters, who fork out a fortune in fares, risk seeing their safety compromised and their services reduced to chaos so that a few thousand revellers can be shipped home in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning and experienced tube managers know that. We urgently need to get talks convened with tube professionals who understand the reasons behind a crisis which should never have been allowed to get this far. ”

 

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Tube Lines Pay Dispute

Dear Steve,

We met Tube Lines today 2.8.15 where they tabled the following regarding our pay claim for 2015.

year 1  1% + £500 consolidated then another £500 for 24hour running non consolidated
year 2 & 3  1%  or  RPI  which ever is greater each year

The second £500 non consolidated for 24 hour running will be paid to all Tube Line Staff covered by collective bargaining.

It was also mention that Tube Lines were working on a work balance plan for the P/way which could mean more track workers being bought in house. At the moment some 40% of all track work is covered by Sub Contractors/Agency workers.

There was no mention of full PRP pot and the RMT is pushing hard to include this as part of any settlement

We said that this does not meet our members aspirations of a substantial pay increase and that any multi year deal would have to be RPI PLUS for us to contemplate any offer. It was also pointed out to them that without divorcing night tube from these pay talks we are only complicating everything and requested that pay be dealt with separately and after an agreement was reached on Pay we would then be able to talk about night tube.

This was rejected by Tube Lines.

We rejected the offer from management and informed them that we would be reporting the offer to our Executive Committee with a recommendation of rejection and that a dispute would then exist.

The TSSA also rejected the offer and aslef told management to talk to there EC member who was not present, unite did not attend the talks.

Can you please place this report before the GGC.

Regards
Brian Whitehead
Regional Organiser

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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TRANSPORT WORKERS POSTER

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TRANSPORT WORKERS POSTER

 

I am pleased to report that earlier this year the European Transport Workers’ Federation Women’s Committee endorsed the RMT submission for the poster competition “Violence against women transport workers – it’s not part of the job”.

 

A few copies of the poster are enclosed for distribution and display in workplaces.  If you would like more copies, please do contact our Equal Opportunities Officer, Jess Webb, [email protected]

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 Violence against women posterv2

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RMT rejects latest Night Tube offer

3rd August 2015

Immediate

 

RMT rejects latest Night Tube offer– strike action goes ahead

 

TUBE UNION RMT has confirmed that it has rejected the re-packaged offer from London Underground over the Night Tube in a meeting at ACAS this afternoon.  As a result the strike action scheduled to begin on Wednesday afternoon goes ahead as planned across all grades and all lines.

 

RMT reps were furious when they examined the details of the current proposals earlier today only to find that they are a re-hash of previous plans and would continue along the course of smashing up long-standing agreements and destroying work/life balance in the interests of delivering the Mayor’s ill-conceived Night Tube vanity project. The union has said that it is prepared to continue talking.

 

RMT has also said that it will now be embarking on a renewed campaign to inform the public of the heavy price that the millions of weekday commuters, paying thousands of pounds of year, will be paying in terms of safety, reliability and quality in order to get a few thousand revellers home from central London in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning.

 

The union has also questioned the viability of getting the new services running for the 12th of September start date without any adequate risk assessments, a complete ignorance of the consequence of losing the weekend engineering and maintenance slots and without any agreement in place on staffing arrangements. RMT is warning that every Monday morning, when the volume passengers that pay for the Underground head back to work, is going to be a potential nightmare as the consequences of running flat out for nearly three days without a break become only too clear. All in order to deliver Boris Johnson’s legacy scheme that was cooked up on the back on an envelope without any understanding of how the railway runs in reality.

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

 

“Our members have made it clear that the latest offer from London Underground is merely a rehash of the previous package and does nothing to tackle the core issue which revolves around staff being at the beck and call of management to be hauled in during their free time to try and plug the staffing gaps which riddle the Mayor’s Night Tube vanity project.

 

“RMT is also deeply concerned that the talks are being conducted by people who have no background on the tube and no understanding of how processes and logistics work. That is deeply worrying and a major departure from when the combine was managed by people with a deep-seated knowledge of the railway. That is a major barrier to progress in the talks and one that we hope can now be cleared.

 

“The Night Tube plan has been botched from the off. The basics haven’t been done and those who will pay for this shambles will not only be our members but the London daily travelling public who cough up a fortune and who will find their safety and the reliability of the service compromised from 12th September onwards.

 

“The action goes ahead and RMT remains available for talks regardless of the point we have reached in the dispute which is perfectly normal.”

 

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LUL Dispute: Training & Familiarisation

Members are reminded that the GGC are instructing all members to: –

  • From 0330 hours Tuesday 28th July 2015, until further notice, members are instructed not to train or familiarise any London Underground Employee or contractor in any working practice/s that are not a normal, contractual and agreed job task work location of the trainee.
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Blacklisting News

  1. Pitchford Inquiry into undercover policing – an opportunity for justice or potential cover up?

Below are various press articles and comments from blacklisted workers, unions and other victims of undercover political policing in response to the start of the Pitchford inquiry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33682769

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-9372-Another-Policing-Cover-Up

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/police-undercover-inquiry-needs-to-probe-links-with-construction-industry-blacklisting-says-unite/

http://policespiesoutoflives.org.uk/

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/jul/26/scotland-yard-shut-down-undercover-police-unit-because-it-broke-rules

http://thejusticegap.com/2015/07/spycops-inquiry-the-biggest-nobbling-in-english-legal-history/

https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Opening-Remarks.pdf

 

Below is the initial response from Blacklist Support Group:

“The opening remarks from Lord Justice Pitchford is a now available on the website especially set up for the public inquiry. The public inquiry is of course to be welcomed and hopefully will uncover the truth behind some of the most shameful elements of British secret state operations against its own citizens. However Pitchford’s remarks and the Terms of Reference published by Teresa May, leave cause for concern.

  1. Spying on trade unions and proven police collusion in blacklisting is not mentioned once. Although social justice campaigns are included. We will need to argue that trade unions fall into this category.
  2. The document stresses that only covert spying by police will be investigated. This leaves a huge gaping hole in the area of corporate spying on activists. The state is not neutral but is always on the side of big business against trade unions. Police and corporate surveillance are completely intertwined with sharing of intelligence standard operating procedure. Some state spying may have actually been out-sourced to private companies. Is this going to be off limits? Will blacklisting fall through the net?
  3. ‘Neither Confirm Nor Deny’ has been the response from the police to every attempt to pry open their dirty secrets. In addition they have refused to disclose evidence on the same basis claiming ‘national security’ or ‘ongoing investigations’ as the reasons. Continued use of this position by the police would make the entire inquiry a farce. Pitchford makes no mention of this but does talk about having to hear some evidence in secret and keeping identity confidential. Clarity on this issue is essential.
  4. Immunity from prosecution under the Official Secrets Act for whistleblowers will be crucial if the true extent of police operations are to be fully investigated. Without this, the inquiry is going nowhere. Pitchford does mention evidence given not being used to bring subsequent criminal charges – but this could apply to undercover officers who were involved in serious criminal activity such as sexual assault, arson or terrorism. It is not clear at all from the documentation so far released whether Peter Francis, the primary whistleblower will be protected.
  5. The Child Sex Abuse inquiry has set up a panel to hear and assess the evidence. The final report will be a collective response. In addition, an advisory panel made up of victims of abuse has also been established to assist in guiding the direction of the inquiry. No such equivalent structures have even been mooted by the Home Office or Pitchford. With the full PR machinery of the state at the disposal of the police, it is easy to see how the inquiry may cover areas which paint the police in a good light but completely ignore other areas.
  6. For the Pitchford inquiry to have any credibility, it will need to leave no stone unturned. There will be a period of lobbying and submissions by lawyers in the next few months. BSG and unions will be directly involved in that process. Which direction Pitchford will take is far from certain. One path may lead to groundbreaking insights into the anti-democratic operations of the secret state. A different path could result in another good old fashioned establishment cover up”.

 

  1. High Court orders Blacklisting firms to disclose evidence (previously hidden)

We also name the senior managers actively involved in blacklisting union members in the building industry. Many of these wretches have now moved to top HR jobs in the NHS, Universities, Lottery, Jockey Club and the off-shore sector. Do you recognise any of the names?

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/high-court-blacklist-disclosure-order

https://undercoverinfo.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/blacklisters-named-extended-list-court-orders-firms-to-produce-blacklisting-docs/

 

  1. VICTORY – sacked UNITE rep reinstated after direct action picket line

Graeme Boxall, the UNITE shop steward sacked at the Morgan Stanley HQ in Canary Wharf on Friday has been re-employed. Graeme was dismissed immediately after he requested direct employment for the electricians he represents but following a picket line this morning, negotiations took place between UNITE official Guy Langston and Lee Crompton Phoenix Managing Director. The outcome was that the sacked steward is now re-employed and the union will participate in continuing talks with the company about the direct employment issue.

Police threatened to arrest pickets and managers tried to intimidate the pickets by waving paperwork in front of them saying, “you are on private property and this is document is a High Court injunction which bans this protest”
The rank and file sparks reply was, “so what?”

Following the successful re-employment, protests have now been suspended to allow the union to negotiate the outstanding issues. Graeme Boxall commented: “I would like to say a massive ‘Thank You’ to all those who came down to support me today. I would especially like to thank the vast majority of construction workers on site who showed such solidarity by respecting the picket line, despite all the intimidation from the police and senior managers. Millions of workers are being denied their basic employment rights by the use of zero hours contracts, employment agencies and umbrella scams. But we don’t have to passively accept these abuses. Today has proved that if we fight back, we can win”.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-3d9c-Sacked-spark-reinstated-after-outcry

http://reelnews.co.uk/direct-action-wins-the-day-as-spectacular-immediate-victory-humiliates-bullying-construction-bosses-at-canary-wharf-27-7-15/

https://usilive.org/unite-rep-reinstated-after-anti-blacklist-protest/

http://socialistworker.co.uk/art/40989/Canary+Wharf+protest+forces+construction+bosses+to+follow+the+rules%E2%80%94instead+of+sacking+the+rep

Video: https://vimeo.com/134792367

 

  1. Pay The Rate – Teesside Construction Activists

The ongoing 16 week dispute in Redcar, Teesside is going to kick off big time. The national collective bargaining agreement is being ignored by major companies on the site who are exploiting workers by paying them less than the nationally agreed rates of pay, lodge and travel. We are not prepared to see any workers exploited, whether they are from Canterbury or Croatia.

This could spread like wildfire into a national wildcat strike. COBRA will have to meet if workers on power stations across the country follow the lead of the Teesside construction activists.

Reel News produce the first major video of the dispute:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgbSOxf4gTE

If you want to show solidarity – contact Teesside construction Activists via FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teesside-Construction-Activists/429641457200160?fref=nf

 

  1. Blacklisting in the Labour Party leadership election

Jeremy Corbyn’s official flyer for the Labour Party leadership election (attached) specifically calls for compensation for the thousands of blacklisted workers and a full transparent public inquiry.

The flyer also calls for justice on Orgreave & Shrewsbury Pickets. For a number of years, Jeremy Corbyn attended Blacklist Support Group events in his own Islington constituency and in parliament. If any of the other candidates have official flyers that support blacklisted workers, we will be very interested in seeing them.

 

  1. Reel News

Everyone involved in Reel News deserves an award for all the hard work they are putting in to tell the stories the mainstream media are ignoring. We could not do what we do without the work they do – they are an integral part of the rank and file blacklisting campaign.  Please get your union branch to subscribe or make a sizable donation to keep this essential trade union based indymedia collective afloat.

http://reelnews.co.uk/

 

  1. Happy holidays – enjoy the sunshine

Corbyn flyer

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

 

 

Posted on

ELECTION OF NATIONAL PRESIDENT

To: The Secretary, All Branches

 

Dear Colleague

 

ELECTION OF NATIONAL PRESIDENT

PERIOD OF OFFICE 1st JANUARY 2016 – 31st DECEMBER 2018

LIST OF CANDIDATES & CANDIDATES’ BRANCH CIRCULARS

 

In accordance with Rule 13, Clause 6, I am writing to advise you that the following nominations were received at this Office on or before Saturday 25th July 2015:

 

Name                                       Employer                                                          Branch

Dave Gott                               Network Rail                                      Bassetlaw

Jim Gray                                  Abellio Scotrail                                   North Clyde

Mark Harding                          London Underground             Hammersmith & City

Sean Hoyle                              Wightlink                                            Portsmouth

Derrick Marr                          Abellio Greater Anglia                       South East Essex

Steve Shaw                              Northern Rail (currently C of E)        Wigan

Glenroy Watson                     London Underground             Finsbury Park

 

Also, I hereby publish the candidates’ Branch Circulars, as received by this Office on or before Saturday 25th July 2015.

 

Branches that have not already nominated a candidate in this election may do so by using the form attached to Circular MF/57/15, dated 25th June 2015, which contained full details of the ballot requirements and election schedules. These should be completed and sent to Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD, to arrive no later than Wednesday 16th September 2015.  Nominations received after this date cannot be accepted.

 

Voting will be by postal ballot by members of the Union. Ballot papers will be sent to all members entitled to vote during the week commencing Monday 5th October 2015.  Completed ballot papers must be returned to the independent scrutineer, Electoral Reform Services, by no later than Monday 7th December 2015.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

Branch Circulars

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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

Posted on

LUL Dispute

FROM RMT PRESS OFFICE

 

New wave of tube industrial action already hitting services this morning as drivers threatened with being sent home for refusing to drive unsafe trains.

 

Tube services are already being hit as a new phase of industrial action kicks in this morning with staff refusing to take out trains that have not been prepped in the previous 24 hours and also refusing to train up staff who have been shunted around the network, outside of their normal jobs and locations, to try and plug gaps created by the ongoing overtime ban.

 

Within hours services on the District Line were disrupted this morning due to a shortage of trains.

 

Meanwhile, staff refusing to take out unsafe trains have been threatened with being sent home and having their pay docked (letter attached) in a move that will inflame the current situation and which makes a mockery of the safety culture on London Underground.

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;

 

“Instead of addressing the issues at the heart of the night tube dispute LU are instead ignoring safety concerns and threatening drivers who refuse to take out trains that have not been properly prepared. That is outrageous and deliberately inflammatory.

 

“The new phase of action is already biting this morning with train shortages hitting services and LU should stop the threats to union members and start talking seriously about the staff concerns over the night tube plans. ”

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