OFFICIAL CIRCULAR
TO ALL BRANCHES AND REPRESENTATIVES
ALL UNDERGROUND AND FORMER LT EMPLOYERS
12th August 2016 Circular No: IR/237/16
Dear Colleagues,
PAY PARITY, TRANSPLANT ENGINEERS TRAIN DRIVERS – TUBE LINES AP JNP (LUL/10/2)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/212/16, 29th July 2016), the ballot has concluded with members voting as follows:-
Question: Are you prepared to take strike action?
Total Votes Cast 22
Number Voting ‘Yes’ 21
Number Voting ‘No’ 1
Spoilt Papers 0
Question: Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?
Total Votes Cast 22
Number Voting ‘Yes’ 22
Number Voting ‘No’ 0
Spoilt Papers 0
The National Executive Committee is currently considering this result and I will keep you advised of all further developments.
BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, DRIVERS, HAMMERSMITH & CITY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/212/16, 29th July 2016), the ballot papers were posted out to affected members on Tuesday 9th August and the closing date for this ballot is Tuesday 23rd August 2016. I will keep you advised of all further developments.
BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS – FARRINGDON, BARBICAN, MOORGATE, LIVERPOOL STREET & ALDGATE STATIONS – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/196/16, 15th July 2016), members will recall the previous National Executive Committee to organise a meeting of Stations Reps to review the implementation of Fit for the Future – Stations to discuss our strategy, including possible industrial action.
The meeting took place on Wednesday 27th July, the NEC has noted the consensus from this meeting to use the broadsheet to build on the anger against the effects of the implementation of Fit for the Future Stations and to complete the preparation of the ballot matrix of all Stations and Revenue staff to ensure that we are in a position to ballot members by early September 2016.
DRIVERLESS TESTING, JUBILEE LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/10)
The following resolution was recently received from the London Transport Regional Council:-
“Jubilee South Branch has been made aware that testing has taken place on the Jubilee Line whereby trains were moved without the need of the operator to ‘activate’ the cab before using ATO buttons.
We believe this is a deskilling of the train operators role, and suggests that technology is being developed and tested on the line to enable – in theory – the operation of trains without an operator in the cab.
The RMT has consistently warned of the obvious risks to safety of driverless trains and made clear that we will take action should London Underground have any plans to operate trains without a train operator in the cab in full control of the train.
We ask that the National Executive take action to ensure that this matter is investigated and that a plan be devised to respond to this or any other attempts at deskilling the train operator role, or operating trains without a train operator”.
This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which has taken the decision to consult with our Train Driver Reps on the Jubilee Line over this concerning issue. I will keep you informed of all further developments.
TERMINATION OF AMEY MAINTENANCE CONTRACT – TUBE LINES AP JNP (LUL/15/10)
The Company recently issued a communication to Tube Lines AP JNP members advising of its intention not to extend the current contract with Amey for the management of maintenance activities across the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines from the end of 2017.
There are no current plans to make any changes to members’ jobs, terms and conditions or pensions although RMT will of course monitor this situation closely. I have written to the Company advising that we expect a full consultation over this matter and requesting a timescale for discussions to take place as well as the early assurance that all LUL maintenance will not be brought back ‘in-house’. I will keep you advised of all further developments.
TRANSITIONING OF CROSSRAIL STAFF INTO TFL (TFL/15/10)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/029/16, 5th February 2016), the Crossrail Audit Team TUPE transferred into TfL on 1st March 2016.
RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2016 – EXTERION MEDIA (LUL/0001/EM)
In line with union policy, a claim for an increase in pay and improved terms and conditions was submitted to the Company. After negotiations between management and the RMT, the following two-year offer has been tabled:-
- YEAR ONE: An increase of 2% effective from 1st April 2016.
- YEAR TWO: An increase of 1.5% effective from 1st April 2017.
In addition, management are offering a £300 one-off payment in recognition for hard work on the previous contract and there will be no changes made to terms and conditions.
The offer is the subject of a referendum which closes on Tuesday 23rd August 2016 and I will keep you advised of all further developments.
Yours sincerely
Mick Cash
General Secretary