Last Friday (22 January), RMT reps Janine Booth and Malcolm Taylor attended a meeting with London Underground management to discuss our concerns about Mystery Shopper Surveys (MSS) and Staff Information Surveys (SIS).

Here is the list of issues that RMT has sent to management for discussion at our forthcoming meeting about Staff Information Surveys ("mystery shoppers"). Thanks to all the RMT reps who contributed to the compilation of this list ...

GENERAL

1. RMT restates our view that all assessment of staff should be carried out by accountable employees of London Underground Ltd. We object to the contracting-out of anonymous surveys of staff.

RMT will be meeting London Underground management soon for an indepth discussion about our concerns about "mystery shoppers" (Staff Information Surveys: SIS). As we have reported previously, many staff feel angry about anonymous informants rating our work unfairly, and then LUL management circulating the reports to our workmates.

The new issue of 'RMT Platform' newsletter outlines RMT's objections to London Underground's use of 'mystery shoppers' to persecute staff. It also reaffirms our determination to fight for a decent pay deal.

The newsletter exposes the scandal of vacancies and proposed job cuts, invites you to join a collective grievance against the ticket office accountancy system, and celebrates a victory in getting Shepherd's Bush Central upgraded to SS1.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to view, download and print it. Please distribute widely.

Station staff are increasing angry about the use of 'mystery shoppers' to assess staff performance. Formerly known as Mystery Shopping Surveys (MSS), the reports are now known as Staff Information Surveys (SIS) - but many staff are starting to think of them as Spying and Insults Surveys.

This is an open letter from Stratford No 1 branch to Steve Hedley (RMT Regional Organiser) and all members regarding 'Mystery Shopping Surveys' and managements treatment of staff.

Dear Steve Hedley,

At our last branch meeting, several stations reps and activists raised the issue of increasing management pressure on members.

Management have informed RMT that Transec will be carrying out 'covert testing exercises' on stations. Transec will leave a bag unattended on a station, and then observe how station staff deal with it. The exercise will initially take place at "a selection of designated Category A stations", and its aim is to check that unattended bags will be identified and dealt with during hourly security checks or other duties.

Several Items were discussed with some brought to a close and others ongoing. Outlined below are the topics talked about and the actions which were agreed to be carried out.

Items from the last meeting

Malcolm Taylor, RMT Stations & Revenue Council rep, writes ...

I spy with my little eye a CSA not doing what I think s/he should be doing! Behold the new competence assurance, renamed: Competence Management System.