Category: TfL

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Cross Rail speculation

RMT  demands Government stop using TFL and its workers as a political football
 
Responding to reports that the Capital’s Crossrail line could be mothballed without immediate funding transport union RMT today called on the Government to stop using TFL as a political football. 
 
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
 
“What’s happening between the Government and TFL is nothing short of a disgrace. As we approach next year’s London Mayoral Election it’s clear the Government are using TFL and our members as a political football and rather than stick to their pledge of “Building Back Better” they’re starving TFL of vital funds and playing games with worker’s livelihoods. 
 
“London transport and its workforce are vital to the economic recovery from Covid-19 and RMT will not be afraid to do whatever is necessary to protect our member’s jobs and livelihoods”
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Coalition of Londoners calls for an end to ‘appalling attack’ on the Capital’s transport

Coalition of Londoners calls for an end to ‘appalling attack’ on the Capital’s transport
 
 
A coalition of organisations have today joined together in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, calling on him to end his government’s attack on the capital’s transport system, 48 hours before negotiations between the government and TfL over a new funding deal are due to end.
 
The letter, signed by 13 organisations representing London’s transport workers, passenger groups, children, young people, students, pensioners, disabled people and anti-poverty campaigners, condemns the government for imposing what is in effect ‘a new round of austerity cuts that will throw more families into poverty and increase hardship for ordinary working people and small businesses across the capital.’
 
The signatories condemn the government’s ‘offer’ – reported to be £1 billion over 6 months, conditional on TfL imposing driverless trains, attacks on pensions in retirement, fare and tax rises and cuts to concessions for children, young people and pensioners – saying:
 
“This package of cuts is punitive, cruel and unnecessary. It’s an open attack on the livelihoods of 9 million Londoners who are being punished because, unlike other major cities our capital’s transport system has been forced to become overly dependent on fare revenue, leaving it exposed to the shocks of the pandemic”.
 
The letter says,
 
“We call on the Prime Minister to abandon this appalling attack on the livelihoods of London’s people and its transport workers and immediately agree a proper funding package that fully supports public transport in our capital during the current crisis and also reinstates government grant to a level that allows for the retention and expansion of safe, sustainable and affordable public transport for the future.”
The signatories to the letter are:  ASLEF, RMT, TSSA, Unite the Union, National Union of Students, London, East and South East TUC, London Region National Pensioners Convention, Child Poverty Action Group, Age UK London, Disabled People Against the Cuts, We Own It, the Association of British Commuters and Bring Back British Rail.
The full letter, send to the Prime Minister today, can be read below:
 
 29th October, 2020
 
Dear Prime Minister,
 
Listen to London: Stop the austerity attack and properly fund London Transport
 
As we move into a hard winter and a second wave of Covid-19 infections, Londoners who have done everything asked of them during this crisis, including transport keyworkers who have put their lives on the line to keep the capital moving, are facing a new round of austerity cuts that will throw more families into poverty and increase hardship for ordinary working people and small businesses across the capital.
 
The cuts being proposed will:
 
Increase child and pensioner poverty in London by cutting access to free travel concessions; Increase hardship for London’s working families and small businesses through fare rises and council tax supplements; Unfairly target the 55,000 keyworkers who have worked heroically throughout the crisis by attacking their jobs, wages, conditions of employment and their pension provision for old age; Damage passenger safety and confidence in public transport through the loss of jobs that are vital to clean, safe and orderly travel; Lead to a degradation of our transport system which will reduce accessibility for disabled people, prevent us from meeting our decarbonisation goals and improving air quality and public health in the capital drive London’s economy further into recession.
 
This package of cuts is punitive, cruel and unnecessary. It’s an open attack on the livelihoods of 9 million Londoners who are being punished because, unlike other major cities our capital’s transport system has been forced to become overly dependent on fare revenue, leaving it exposed to the shocks of the pandemic. This is a broken funding model, but instead of working to fix it, your government appears to be using it to inflict yet more austerity on people who have done what they have been asked to do and endured great hardship in the process.
 
We call on your government to abandon this appalling attack on the livelihoods of London’s people and its transport workers and immediately agree a proper funding package that fully supports public transport in our capital during the current crisis and also reinstates government grant to a level that allows for the retention and expansion of safe, sustainable and affordable public transport for the future.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Mick Cash, General Secretary, RMT
 
Mick Whelan, General Secretary, ASLEF
 
Manuel Cortes, General Secretary, TSSA
 
Len McCluskey, General Secretary, Unite the Union
 
Larissa Kennedy, President, NUS
 
Sam Gurney, Regional Secretary, London, East and South East TUC
 
Cat Hobbs, Director, We Own It
 
Abigail Wood, Chief Executive, Age UK London
 
Alison Garnham, Chief Executive, Child Poverty Action Group
 
Barry Todman, London Region, National Pensioners Convention
 
Paula Peters, National Steering Group Member, Disabled People Against the Cuts
 
Emily Yates, Co-Founder, Association of British Commuters
 
Ellie Harrison, Founder, Bring Back British Rail
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RMT pledge to protect TfL Pensions

RMT pledges all-out fight to protect pensions as Government line up savage cuts in TFL funding deal

 

London’s main transport union‎ RMT pledges all-out fight to protect jobs, pensions and working conditions as Government line up savage cuts in TFL funding deal as details emerge this morning.

 

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

 

“It is appalling that the Government are targeting staff pensions amongst a range of other savage measures in this short-term funding deal. I put them on notice that any attempt to hack away at our members pension rights will be met by an all-out campaign of political and industrial resistance.

 

“These are difficult times for the staff who have kept London moving since the COVID pandemic and it is a disgrace that they are now being set up for a battering in these cuts measures. The TFL staff are essential workers who have performed heroically and RMT will fight off any  attempt to hack back on jobs, pay, pensions and working conditions‎.”

 

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RMT responds to appointment of new TFL Commissioner

RMT responds to appointment of new TFL Commissioner

 

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:

 

“The new commissioner will arrive with TFL facing a financial crisis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that is being ruthlessly exploited by the Tory Government for political purposes.”

 

“Mr Byford will be well aware of the strength of RMT across TFL and that it is our members who have kept services running and essential workers moving throughout this emergency.”

 

“He will also be aware that any attempt to hit the transport workforce with cuts to jobs and conditions at the behest of the Government will be fought with every weapon at our disposal.”

 
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RMT says London Mayor’s coronavirus transport cleaning announcement is completely inadequate

RMT says London Mayor’s coronavirus transport cleaning announcement is completely inadequate

 

TUBE UNION RMT says that the London Mayor’s coronavirus transport cleaning announcement today is completely inadequate and calls into question the decision to privatise tube cleaning.

 

Responding to Mayor Sadiq Khan’s statement, RMT General Mick Cash said:

 

“The New York subway, where cleaning is done by directly employed staff in the public sector, will be deep-cleaned every three days, according to a recent announcement.

 

“In contrast, what the Mayor of London has announced looks significantly less than that and our worry is that he’s being limited in what he can do because London Underground’s cleaning is outsourced.

 

“That’s why RMT has written to the Mayor seeking assurances that the decision to privatise tube cleaning is not compromising passenger safety.

 

“It would also be completely unacceptable if the privatised tube cleaning company ABM were to profit out of this crisis and this whole episode confirms once again that like New York, Tube cleaning in London needs to be taking into public ownership.”

 

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Mass Meeting Transformation

Mass Meeting Transformation

 

On the 8th May 2018, LUEngineering branch organised a mass meeting of RMT members affected by the Transformation proposal from LUL  & TfL. Full reports were given by our representatives that had attended the discussions with Management from both companies and members were informed that this was the most that could be achieved through negotiation.

 

Views were then sought from the 50 plus members that attended and they then voted unanimously to take action to defend their jobs.

 

Furthermore, they were informed that they would need to be at the forefront of any dispute however that the threats from LUL & TfL to make our members compulsory redundant would need to be challenged further and the issue was further placed onto the agenda of the LUEngineering Branch Meeting that followed.

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RMT Circular 10th May 2018

 

 

 

 

OFFICIAL CIRCULAR

 

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REPRESENTATIVES

ALL UNDERGROUND AND FORMER LT EMPLOYERS

 

 

 

10th May 2018                                                          Circular No: IR/228/18

 

Dear Colleague,

 

DISMISSAL, L. VIGO, TRAIN OPERATOR, BAKERLOO LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/209/18, 24th April 2018), the meeting of the Trains Functional Council Reps, Bakerloo Line Trains IR Reps and Senior Assistant General Secretary reached a clear consensus in relation to the appalling treatment of Brother Vigo who was sacked for obtaining a drink of water whilst on duty. It was noted that the company taking this draconian action has set a clear precedent which will put all Train Operators in the firing line for dismissal. The company’s action against Brother Vigo also flies in the face of natural justice, which is evidenced by him winning his recent Employment Tribunal case hands down.

 

The National Executive Committee has considered this matter and taken the decision to immediately ballot all Train Operator and Instructor Operator members on the Bakerloo Line and to follow this with a ballot of all London Underground Train Operator and Instructor Operator members if the company fail to reinstate Brother Vigo as a Train Operator following his ET remedy meeting next week.

 

I am currently making the necessary preparations in respect of this decision and would be grateful if all Branches could ensure all Train Operator and Instructor Operator details are kept up to date. I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

 

INTRODUCTION OF WTT15 – TRAIN OPERATORS – JUBILEE LINE, LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)

 

Further to my previous Circular (IR/217/18, 30th April 2018), all Jubilee Line Train Operator and Instructor Operator members should now have received their ballot paper for the above ballot and I urge all members to make sure they return it, to reach the Scrutineer by the closing date of Thursday 17th May 2018.

 

If any member has not received their ballot paper, or knows of a colleague who has not received it, please call us on 0800 376 3706 or 0207 387 4771 and ask for the Industrial Relations Department or e-mail [email protected] as soon as possible. It is imperative that we get a massive return in the ballot.

 

PAY & CONDITIONS, SCL1, SCL2 & SM GRADES, HAMMERSMITH CONTROL CENTRE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/3)

 

Following extensive negotiations with the Company regarding the new Hammersmith Control Room, a final position has been received from LUL. The Lead Officer has consulted our Service Control Functional Council Representatives and affected members and the National Executive Committee has noted the recommendation on file and taken the decision to inform London Underground of our acceptance of the offer.

 

The agreement reached for Hammersmith SCC – SCL2 Competence & Pay Progression is as below and is in addition to agreements already secured in October 2016.

 

Guaranteed minimum pay points: Subject to individual commitment to developing to SCL2 Controller activity competence across all line at Hammersmith:-

 

  • Four guaranteed minimum pay points created within the existing Pay Band
  • Movement to each pay point determined by achieving prescribed competence
  • Movement beyond each pay point continues to be achievable by demonstrating additional performance
  • Similar progression will exist for Service Managers who achieve SCL2 (Line Controller) CBTC/Cross-line competence and “Step Down” under the PCSA agreement
  • Similar progression will exist for Service Controller Level 1 who hold SCL2 (Line Controller) CBTC/Cross-line competence and “Step Up” under the PCSA agreement
  • Minimum pay thresholds are based on 25%, 55% and 85% of the salary range
  • Pay progression will have no impact on existing entitlement to Higher Grade working where that already applies
  • Subject to there being no additional training & development, the company will apply the equivalent threshold point for starting salary should Hammersmith SCL1s be successful in securing a permanent SCL2 position at Hammersmith

 

The above will apply also to both transferring and new starters to Hammersmith. This provides scope for others within Service Control, should they wish, to transfer to and take advantage of enhanced pay progression for multiple line SCL2 Controller competence.

 

Guarantee for single line operations: Individuals at SCL2 level transferring to Hammersmith who wish to only work their current line will be able to do so and remain at Hammersmith for a period of at least 5 years (until May 2023). This guarantee will be reviewed at that point and will be extended in 2 year blocks if possible. If not, consultation will take place on appropriate transfer arrangements to provide safe and reasonable solutions for those individuals who are still only willing to work a single line.

 

STAFFING LEVELS AND WORKING PROCEDURES – ELIZABETH LINE / LUL (LUL/14/5)

 

The following resolution has been received from our East Ham Branch:-

 

“This branch notes the flagrant ignorance of safety issues at Elizabeth Line stations that interact with LUL. These being Whitechapel, Tottenham Court Rd, Bond Street, Moorgate, Paddington and Farringdon.

 

Serious concerns include:

 

  • Reduction in minimum numbers, including having 2 supervisory staff within the minimum numbers
  • Lack of Elizabeth Line staff
  • Poor emergency procedures
  • Lack of general available staff

 

This branch asks the NEC to consider a ballot of all staff in effected station for industrial action”.

 

The National Executive Committee has considered this matter and taken the decision to call a meeting of H&S Reps from affected lines/stations, the Lead Officer/Relief Lead Officer, Senior Assistant General Secretary and NEC. This meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 22nd May and I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

 

REDUNDANCIES, STATION ADMIN STAFF – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/16/3)

 

The following resolution has been received from our East Ham Branch:-

 

“This branch is appalled by London Underground’s proposals to significantly cut numbers of Stations Admin staff.

 

These cuts will cause unacceptable stress to our members, with increased workloads, significant changes to their roles and unsafe workloads. Additionally, this will create extra work for our station staff members, who will have to take on some of the responsibilities that currently fall to our admin members.

 

We call on the union to strongly oppose these job cuts by launching a campaign to protect these members and also to prepare a ballot matrix for strike action and action short of strike”.

 

The National Executive Committee has considered this matter and taken the decision to arrange a meeting of all our Senior IR Reps affected along with the Lead Officer; Senior Assistant General Secretary and NEC and to launch a campaign to completely oppose these cuts. This meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 22nd May and I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

 

TRAIN PREPARATION SCHEDULE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/10)

 

The following resolution has been received from our East Ham Branch:-

 

“This branch notes the very dangerous intention by LU to change the train preparation schedule from every 24 hours to every 96 hours. London Underground are saying that this is as safe as 24 hours. No safety related submission has been provided to back this up. The company will effectively be running a train service with a large percentage of its train service unchecked for four days at a time.

 

Not only will this lead to major fleet issues, it will inevitably lead to more train failures in service putting an unacceptable pressure on all grades within LU.

 

This branch asks the NEC for consideration of bringing all operational grades into the possibility of balloting for action alongside drivers and fleet staff”.

 

The National Executive Committee has considered this matter, noted the upcoming joint Tier 2 meeting on 18th May between our Fleet and Trains Health & Safety Reps with management and taken the decision to arrange a meeting of H&S Reps at the earliest opportunity following the joint Tier 2; with our Fleet & Trains Senior Health & Safety Reps, Lead Officer, Senior Assistant General Secretary and NEC. This meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 22nd May and I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

 

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2018 – KEOLIS AMEY DOCKLANDS (DLR/0001/KAD)

 

In line with Union policy, a pay claim for an increase in pay and improved terms and conditions was submitted to the company. The Regional Organiser has met with them and the following offer has been tabled:-

 

  • RPI + 0.25% or 2% (whichever is higher) for 5 years (1st April 2018 to 1st April 2022)

 

  • RPI + 0.5% for employees with a salary under £30,000 for either the full 5 years or until they meet the £30,000 threshold

 

The National Executive Committee has congratulated our DLR Branch on achieving this offer through negotiations and taken the decision to conduct a referendum of affected members with a recommendation to accept the offer.

 

The voting papers will be posted to members next week and I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

 

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TfL Transformation Update

UPDATE FOLLOWING TfL ENGINEERING CONSULTATION

 

We met with the management yesterday (9th May) and discussed a range of issues.

 

The main topics we discussed were when results would be known, VS, SAE, development plans, targeted development plans, staff comms & the Resource Planning Tool.

 

We talked about the number of assessments that have been scored and input into the database. We also talked about your concerns over when people will find out whether or not they have been successful. The management said they had approximately 300 assessments to score and input, which they expected to be completed by the end of next week. I did ask for a comms to be sent out to staff to let them know that.

 

As yet we don’t know what a “targeted development plan” looks like and neither does the management. I have asked them to work on what a hypothetical plan would contain. This is going to be different to a development plan where someone just missed passing the assessment. We need to see an example of what a targeted plan would look like so we can find the problems before the plans become live. We also clarified what people on targeted development plans would do whilst on the plan. We asked for this to be made clear in the next comms. We asked about the process as this doesn’t fall under any current policy/process and we want to make sure that staff are treated fairly and that the right of appeal is there. I asked that if someone goes on a plan they know which role they would be going into at the end of the plan if they were successful. Management said they would look at this.

 

We asked if people who fell just short of passing would be able to ask for VS. The management confirmed that people in this group wouldn’t get VS. Then we asked about staff who get a role they didn’t preference at all. The management said they will look at this.

 

We talked about when SAE would be used and said that it would also need to be used at the end of the targeted development plan if someone had failed the plan because that member of staff may be able to find a role elsewhere in TfL/LUL.

We talked about the Resource Planning Tool. This is still being tested but we are hoping to see demonstration of it soon.

We asked about seeing the Transition Plan and also an updated CAP.

 

 

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Transformation Mass Meeting Confirmed

Transformation Mass Meeting

 

As part of the transformation consultation, the RMT have organised a Mass Meeting to feedback to our members involved in this reorganisation and decide our next course of action.

 

The meeting will take place at 14:00 – 16:00, Tuesday 8th May in the Mahatma Ghandi Hall, Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6AQ.

(The nearest station are Great Portland St or Warren St Tubes)

 

The agenda for the meeting is:

  1. Feedback and Reports from the Negotiating Reps on TfL, LUL and JNP
  2. Questions from the floor, and then a response from your reps.
  3. A decision on what actions to take next.

 

The reality is that talks have been very hard and there has been a lot of misinformation and errors circulated. However, this is your chance to come and have your say and guide your union on how to take this matter forward or how we will oppose these changes.

The RMT London Transport National Executive (NEC) Member, Andy Littlechild will be in attendance to receive your feedback and report back directly to Unity House.

The meeting is open to ALL RMT MEMBERS and those staff that are affected and want to join our union to oppose cuts in any way our members and NEC direct us.

 

Transformation Mass Meeting Poster

 

 

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UPDATE ON TfL ENGINEERING CONSULTATION

UPDATE ON TfL ENGINEERING CONSULTATION

 

On Friday 20th April the TUs met with management for a Consultation meeting.

 

I am aware of the email sent out to staff at 11.32, which was just under 30 minutes before we met them. We had no knowledge of the email’s contents. As you are aware the TUs had been asking for weeks for staff to be taken out of scope so we were pleased that common sense prevailed finally and the management have agreed to remove the immediate threat of redundancy.

 

However, based on the second email sent out and also on the Consultation meeting we attended, I have grave concerns over the way the management will put in place the “targeted development plan”. They will be on a restricted timeframe, which has not been specified, but the management did state they did not see this being as long as 6 months. They will not be using the Performance Improvement Policy to do this either. If staff are not successful during this period then they could be terminated on capability grounds. This is not something that has been done before during a reorganisation under the RSRP. There has been no detail on how this will work, what support will be given and how staff will be assessed to see whether they meet the competencies following this ‘plan’.

 

The TUs have been advised that staff will be given the option of undergoing the development plan or taking VS, but people won’t be able to go through development, and then ask for VS if they don’t meet the standards.

 

There has been no mention of whether SAE will be looked at as part of this plan, or whether staff will have to ask about this instead of the plan.

 

There are a significant number of things which will need to be in place to make this acceptable to the RMT, one of which will be that no member of staff who wants to stay, will leave until every option has been looked at.

 

I have a list of questions which I will be raising at Consultation and am more than happy for any feedback to be sent to me so I can add questions if necessary.

 

Maria Taylor

[email protected] or [email protected]

 

Other Reps

Mounir

07944 835 952

 

PMO

Jamie Parry

[email protected]

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Rail for London

The RMT have been building members that work for Rail for London at various locations including Allsop Place and Romford.

 

However, once Senior Management found out, they immediate gave recognition to two sister unions, TSSA and Prospect on the basis that they sign a no strike deal.

 

 

TSSA NO STRIKE AGREEMENT

 

 

 

This is not only unbelievable but unacceptable and Rail for London staff have continued to join the RMT on the back of wanting a democratic and fighting trade union watching their backs.

 

Our sister unions and management have resorted to desperate measures such as pressuring staff to join the chosen unions, allowing free access for recruitment drives to their representatives and officers and resisting all attempts by the RMT to  organise effectively. However, this has failed.

 

The TSSA even had to resort to free membership however, people know that negotiation without industrial power is collective begging and the RMT are never on their knees.

 

We have written to the TUC to lodge a formal complaint regarding the matter and await a response. However, the truth is that recognition without members as meaningless as a Trade Union that cannot strike.

 

The RMT therefore plans to increase our membership and have already lodged a pay claim for the staff at Romford Rail Operating Centre regarding General Salary Levels, Rostering and Flexible working and shift rate and overtime payments.

 

 

RfL Letter

 

 

Sadly for Rail for London, this union doesn’t sign no strike deals but what we do, is fight for our members in every possible way including Industrial Action

 

 

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