RMT Platform

Click on the attachment to download the latest RMT Platform newsletter detailing the attacks on Station Jobs revealed in the leaked documents on LU 's 'Operational Strategy'.

Extracts from RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our Regional Organiser. London Underground management tried to introduce a 'line reserve' policy whereby reserve station staff would be systematically allocated duties outside their group of stations, to paper over the cracks of understaffing. Under pressure from our objections and threat to boycott the policy, management have backed down and reverted to the previous, agreed practice of allocating duties outside the group only occasionally. It is therefore the view of our Stations and Revenue Council representatives that it is no longer necessary to implement action short of a strike to boycott this ‘line reserve’ policy, and accordingly, we instruct the General Secretary not to include this in our action short of a strike on this issue. We remain vigilant, and ask our representatives to alert us to any further attempts to impose such a policy.

POSTED ON BEHALF OF MALCOLM TAYLOR

Following a meeting between functional reps and LU management, a proposal by LU has been presented to the TU's for moving the OE staff into established positions this proposal is as follows:

“TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday 18 October 2011 for further friendly and constructive talks concerning the political strategies for a potential new union.

RMT has revealed a shocking instruction from London Underground management - that visually-impaired passengers should not travel to Victoria station during the evening peak. The BBC has covered this story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15303638

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We welcome the AGM resolution calling for a national ‘SOS: Staff Our Stations’ campaign, particularly considering the renewed threat to station staffing posed by the McNulty report. We will campaign on this issue in conjunction with our campaign on McNulty.

In this edition read about:

The Pay Offer (what it is and what is happening).

Barbican returns to SS3 but what about the rostered Supers there? The rep believes they should be able to remain there on their SS2 salary. LUL disagree's.

Opening Staff Lockers - Train side seem to have a procedure for this station side does not.

The Hammersmith & City Branch AGM.

“TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 for further friendly and constructive talks concerning the democratic structures of our respective unions. Our talks focussed on the workings of Annual Conferences, Executive Committees, Regional/Divisional and Branch structures.

Latest RMT Platform Newsletter containing an update on Olympics payment and working hours for station staff, our right to 28 days' notice of duties, station safety issues....and more.

As has been previously reported LU management have been consulting with RMT and TSSA on a proposed new Surplus and Loss Procedure http://www.rmtplatform.org.uk/node/1028.

By Janine Booth, RMT Executive

Here on London Underground stations, we know the devastating effects of staffing cuts. Following the 'OSP', station staff are working twice as hard, barely able to meet the needs of passengers, taking abuse on a daily basis, and regularly avoiding safety disasters by the skin of our teeth.

TSSA and RMT met on Saturday/Sunday 17/18 September 2011 to discuss the structures, operations and cultures of both unions. We each delivered presentations on our membership, democratic structures, political affiliations, staff structures, officials and offices and took the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications.

Stations and Revenue Control Safety Council Staff side - General Update and Olympics Update - Sept 2011

General Update

Aftermath of Person under train incidents-storage of bodies

Further to our previous joint trade union message (dated Friday, 12 August, 2011) regarding merger talks between RMT and TSSA, our negotiating teams will meet over two days following the TUC Congress next week.

The aim of this meeting is to allow both negotiating teams to better understand each other's unions in terms of our respective structures, operation and culture.

Report from Gavin Bowtell. RMT Industrial and Health & Safety Rep for the Liverpool Street group on the recent Uniform Consultative Committee.

PDF below can be printed off for display.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the new issue of 'RMT Platform', our newsletter for station and revenue staff. It includes information about merger talks with TSSA, RMT meetings and activities for station and revenue staff, the Olympics, safety issues, the use of national rail staff on LU stations, and RMT's planned boycotts of Enhanced AFM Functionality and 'line reserve'.

To keep pressure on against further LU stations job cuts, RMT has decided to boycott the ‘line reserve’ and enhanced AFM functionality policies. These are both measures which assist LU to manage with fewer staff, paving the way for future job cuts.

With Chiltern Railways suspended between Harrow on the Hill, Amersham and Marylebone, Chiltern national rail staff have been sent onto LU stations to assist - on the unpaid side of the gates.

There had been no consultation with the local health and safety reps or the safety council.

[from the Stations and Revenue Safety Council]

Wheelchair ramps. LU are looking at trialling the laying of wheelchair ramps to assist wheelchair users to board/alight trains at approximately 20 stations across the system in readiness for the Olympics. At present we (safety council reps) are in the process of commenting on the relevant safety documentation that LU have produced.... We have been advised our functional council industrial colleagues that at present there is no agreement for LU staff to lay these ramps on our platforms/ trains. At present we are advising local safety representatives not to take part in discussing or participating in local trials relating to this activity and/or take part in any workplace risk assessments.

[report from Stations Functional Council]

The Trade Unions met with the company for the first time since March to discuss what reward and recognition employees would get in acknowledgement of our work over the Olympic period next year.

Laughably, LU have proposed an enhanced CSS bonus with an offer of £200 over the existing bonus scheme (taxable) if we attain the mark which LU set.