RMT turns up pressure over pay exploitation on UK ferry services

MARITIME UNION RMT today turned up the heat on the government over a loophole that allows ferry operators between UK ports to ignore minimum wage legislation and pay non-UK seafarers as little as £2 an hour.

With the Equality Bill reaching its final report stage this Tuesday (1st December), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has deliberately blocked an amendment which would have closed the loophole using spurious legal arguments that have already been demolished by specialist maritime legal opinion.

An Early Day Motion has been tabled by Labour MP Gwyn Prosser today backing the RMT campaign and RMT officials and members of the RMT parliamentary group will be meeting ministers on Tuesday to press the case for allowing amendments that bring seafarers into line with the UK National Minimum Wage, and the full repeal of the discriminatory provisions against seafarers in the 1976 Race Relations Act.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary said:

"David Miliband and the Labour Government are presiding over a policy that openly allows the exploitation of seafarers on British ships. Their obstruction to the National Minimum Wage amendment to the Equality Bill that would help close this shameful loophole is a disgrace. RMT will be stepping up our campaign this week to mobilise support for an end to pay exploitation on UK ferry services."

ENDS

EARLY DAY MOTION – GWYN PROSSER MP (tabled Monday 30th November)

SEAFARERS' POVERTY PAY AND THE FOREIGN OFFICE
That this House notes that for a number of years discussions have been taking place in both Houses with government and with the TUC to seek to resolve the horrendous situation whereby ferry company owners and others, whose vessels regularly trade on fixed routes between UK ports are allowed to pay poverty wages substantially below the minimum wage to non-UK seafarers including rates as little as £2.00 per hour; welcomes the fact that a number of members have supported amendments to the Equality Bill which would close this loophole; is therefore dismayed that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is blocking these amendments by claiming that applying the minimum wage on ferries that trade solely between UK ports could mean the UK is in breach of United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea; further notes the FCO have adopted this position despite independent legal advice to the contrary provided to the RMT union and also the advice of the International Transport Workers Federation; is appalled that in the 21st Century the Foreign Office is effectively allowing the continuation of poverty wages to continue in UK waters; and calls on the Foreign Secretary to immediately publish the legal advice on which their blocking action is based and allow the advice to be subject to urgent independent scrutiny.

Amey LNW update

At a meeting yesterday, some details on events in the immediately future were discussed. Not being present, I have only the barest of details on what was discussed.

High output was agenda item which was discussed at length, with the basics of the T&C's that new starters would be recruited to operate the machines. A lot of work is required in this area.

Apparently Amey are looking for around nineteen redundancies on the LNW at Bletchley, looks like any VR package would be applied equally across the board. But in a compulsory situation I couldnt say, things could well revert to ones T&C's.

A common set of T&C's, rates of pay etc for all staff was a desired objective too.

It was the first meeting I'm aware of on these subjects, and there will be more. Futher details will come with further meetings, at the present it's early days.

Virgin West Coast train cleaners to begin strike action from tonight

Cleaners servicing Virgin trains for Alstom West Coast Traincare Carlisle Group contract will begin the first of two 24 hour strikes at 8pm this evening (27 November) in a fight over pay and conditions of service. A second 24 hour strike will begin at 8pm on Sunday (30 November).

The strike action will affect trains along the West Coast Main Line route throughout the weekend and in to early next week.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

"This strike is all about the fight against poverty pay and for dignity and respect at work for the cleaners who toil through the night to maintain the Virgin trains on the prestigious West Coast route.

"Carlisle Group have offered these workers nothing this year despite the fact that the company is highly profitable and that there's plenty of cash in the coffers for the directors and shareholders.

"This is a fight for justice and this brave group of workers deserve the full support of the travelling public in their battle for a living wage."

RMT demands end to privatisation chaos as Nat Express are thrown off the tracks.

RAIL UNION RMT today demanded an end to the "chaos, instability and waste" of rail privatisation following the government's announcement this morning that National Express will have their East Anglia franchise terminated in 2011.

RMT are calling on the government to strip National Express of their remaining C2C contract and to make it clear that the company are being kicked off the UK rail tracks for good following the shambolic collapse of their East Coast Main Line operation.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

"The rail franchise system has degenerated into the worst soap opera you can imagine, lurching from one chaotic episode to another and with the government staggering around like crack addicts desperate to hand over another fat wodge of taxpayers cash for their next privatisation fix.

"The time has come to call a halt to the rail privatisation disaster. The long slow death of National Express as a UK rail operator should trigger a policy shift back to public ownership which would bring the politicians into line with the wishes of over 70% of the British people in a recent poll.

"Passengers and staff alike are sick and tired of the waste, inefficiency and crisis management of rail privatisation that is at the heart of the National Express fiasco. This is taxpayer-sponsored rail chaos and RMT will be stepping up the campaign to bring it to an end and return to the principles of a publicly owned railway run as a public service."

Near Miss or What?

Above is a short clip that someone sent us, don't know when or where it is, but its sure as hell is a close shave for the figure in the clip.

Overhead line failure fuels RMT fears over rail maintenance job cuts

A MAJOR FAILURE on the overhead lines on a section of the West Coast Main Line at Hemel Hempstead yesterday has fuelled rail union RMT's fears about repeated chaos on the network as maintenance staff job cuts begin to bite.

RMT have pointed out that yesterdays failure, which caused chaos overnight on both Virgin and London Midland with the latter still running an emergency timetable today, exposes the dangers in the cash-driven Network Rail maintenance cuts which have put nearly 1500 permanent jobs at rsik.

RMT reps have reported that only six maintenance staff were on duty at depots at Stonebridge Park and Bletchley covering over 70 miles of busy track on a vital section of the West Coast route used by both intercity and commuter trains.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"Despite a £9 billion upgrade, yesterday's line failures show that there are still major problems on the West Coast and yet Network Rail are targeting nearly half of their proposed job cuts at the route. That exposes the nonsense of Network Rail's whole cash-driven cuts policy that we have warned will cause exactly this kind of chaos on a regular basis.

"The botched West Coast upgrade has left sections of old cable spliced into new and that is a recipe for exactly the kind of failure we saw at Hemel Hempstead yesterday and is also concrete evidence that the maintenance job cuts plans are a disaster waiting to happen.

"We are calling again for the Government to haul Network Rail back from the brink before lasting, and potentially lethal, damage is unleashed on our railways."

Xmas working update!

After some frantic last minute talks upon the subject of Xmas working with Amey management, it looks like there are no significant improvements forthcoming on the matter. Not a great surprise, but you'll never know until you have tried.

One concession, that I can't confirm yet because I have not seen it in black and white, is the apparent removal of the link between the payment of the £350 bonus and the eventual outcome of the job. It correct, it marks a small victory in a otherwise sorry state of affairs.

Amey were clearly unwilling to commit themselves to anything that didn't stand a chance of their being reimbursed by Network Rail for it. Network Rail are again the key factor in the equation, and Amey like all the other companies are not willing to rock the boat and incur their displeasure on the matter.

Network Rail seem clearly to be on a continuing path of getting things done on the cheap, continuing their philosophy of driving costs down at every opportunity. I dont think there is anyone in Network Rail senior management who would even get out of bed for what they are asking our blokes to get out of bed for on Christmas Day.

Network Rail accused of misleading ministers over maintenance job losses

RAIL UNION RMT today accused Network Rail of misleading successive Transport Secretaries over the threat of compulsory redundancies to rail maintenance workers.

Earlier this year, RMT received a letter from previous Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon saying that he had been given an assurance by Network Rail that there were no plans for job losses.

A similar assurance was given to RMT's parliamentary group last month by current Transport Secretary Lord Adonis. He told the group that he had been advised by Network Rail that there would be no compulsory redundancies as part of the current maintenance staff reduction programme that has left nearly 1500 permanent posts under threat.

But in the minutes of a Transport Select Committee meeting from two weeks ago, Network Rail Chief Executive Iain Coucher is quoted as saying:

"I am not party to what the Secretary of State writes, but what we have made quite clear is if we want to reduce the running of the railway, which we do, we will have to let people go. I have said publicly that we will try and minimise the amount of compulsory redundancies but there are parts of the country where that simply will not be possible."

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said today:

"RMT members out on the rail network want to know exactly what is going on. One minute Network Rail are telling ministers there will be no compulsory redundancies and the next minute they are telling the Select Committee that there will be. This is an outrageous way to behave and our members are rightly angry at being treated with such contempt.

"RMT is calling for an urgent intervention by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis to stop this nonsense and to get a copper-bottomed guarantee from Network Rail that they will stick to their original commitment to no compulsory redundancies. No one should be under any illusions. If our rail maintenance members are threatened with being thrown on to the dole queue we will not hesitate to ballot for action."

RMT slams plans for a third gamble on privatisation of the East Coast Main Line

RAIL UNION RMT today slammed the government for acting like “compulsive gamblers” after ministers announced a timetable for a third punt on the privatisation of the East Coast Main Line following the renationalisation of the route only ten days ago.

Despite the recent collapse of the National Express contract to run the East Coast line, and the previous failure of GNER, the government today confirmed a schedule which will allow another private company to have a go operating the service from May 2011.

The government have also failed to trigger the cross-default clauses on National Express’s C2C service with that franchise being allowed to run its course until retendering and re-letting in November 2011.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said today:

“Despite the blatant failures of privatisation on the East Coast, and despite the massive costs and disruption to the taxpayer and the users of the route, the government have now waded straight back in like compulsive gamblers with plans to take another punt with a private operator in just eighteen months time.

“This obsession with rail privatisation defies all logic and will be a massive vote-loser for Labour at the next general election with their core supporters. Recent polls show that over 70% of the British people oppose rail privatisation and yet they are being ignored by the politicians who seem to think our transport services should be little more than a cash point for the big private operators.

“RMT will fight hard for the East Coast to remain in public ownership and for the rest of railways to be run as public services not as an opportunity for the train operators to make a fast buck at the travellers expense.”

Alert : Postal Service Scam!

Subject: POSTAL SERVICE SCAM

Postal Scam Can you circulate this around especially as Xmas is fast approaching - it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam: A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize . If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call. If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICSTIS (the Premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk

RMT NEWS ALERT: Exploitation of Seafarers

24th November 2009

Fellow transport workers are earning as little as £2.00 an hour

Email your MP today

RMT is campaigning to end exploitation in UK waters which can see seafarers earning as little as £2.00 an hour.

This super exploitation is legal because seafarers do not enjoy the same protection under minimum wage and equal rights legislation as other workers. 

Gwyn Prosser MP is a member of the RMT Parliamentary Group and has tabled amendments to the Government Equality Bill which would outlaw this exploitation.

The Bill is being debated on 2^nd December so please email your MP today asking him to back Gwyn Prosser's amendments.

Simply copy the model letter below and then email it to your MP by going to http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

Please act today and please pass this message on to your workmates, family and friends.

Yours sincerely  

Bob Crow

General Secretary

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equality Bill – Please support New Clause 25 and Amendment 34

As one of your constituents I am asking that you sign and support amendments to the Equality Bill New Clause 25 (National Minimum Wage) and Amendment 34 (Race Relations Act).

Both amendments have been tabled by Gwyn Prosser MP and are supported by the maritime unions and the TUC.

The amendments seek to address the exclusion of foreign seafarers from the protection of the National Minimum Wage and pay discrimination legislation.

This lack of protections has led to seafarers on ships sailing between UK ports being paid as little as £2.00 an hour.

The government has been promising for some time to address this exploitation, and I hope you will support these changes and sign Gwyn Prosser's amendments.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Floods expose madness of plans to slash rail maintenance jobs

RAIL UNION RMT warned today that the impact of the floods on the West Coast Main Line exposes the potentially fatal flaws in Network Rail's plans to axe 1448 maintenance jobs – with 679 of those planned job cuts targeted at the West Coast route.

A landslip at Southwaite on Friday morning led to a temporary suspension of the West Coast Main Line but thanks to immediate action by Network Rail crews the line was soon re-opened. Maintenance crews have battled for long hours in atrocious conditions to keep rail services running.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

"The flooding in the North West and across other parts of the country has reinforced the importance of having a fully-crewed rail maintenance team able to respond to peaks of demand and run by people who understand engineering and not by bureaucrats and accountants shuffling numbers on balance sheets.

"There is no doubt that it is the sheer hard work and commitment of rail staff, slogging it out in atrocious conditions, that has kept services running and re-opened blocked lines. I pay tribute to them and to our emergency services who have once again shown that they are the best in the world.

"RMT is today calling on Network Rail to recognise the potentially lethal consequences of cutting corners on rail maintenance and axing jobs to fit budgets rather than the needs of our railways and to scrap their cuts plans."

Xmas working counter proposals

It looks likely that there will be a failure to agree to the proposals from Amey on Xmas working, a number of union reps have some major issues with it, which inevitably calls for counter proposals on the subject.

Below are a set of counter proposals that I have submitted to our lead officer, I know other union reps have chipped in with a number of suggestions and points. What the eventual form of counter proposals that will be submitted to Amey will be is not clear, but it is hoped that there will be some improvement in a number of areas. One is the question in connection with lieu days, another is the strings attached to the bonus payment. So hopefully, that counter proposal will be revealed shortly, and we'll know what Amey's response is to it shortly after that. And then we'll know where we stand.

CHRISTMAS 2009 AND NEW YEAR 2010

WORKING AND PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Please see below the proposed working and payment arrangements for Amey staff working or required to be on 'contingency cover' over the Christmas 2009 and New Year 2010 bank holiday period:

The following outline the working and payment arrangements over the period for those employee who volunteer to work:-

1. CHRISTMAS

· Friday 25th December 2009 - 'Rostered and not required'
· Saturday 26th December 2009 - 'Rostered and not required'
· Monday 1st January 2007 - 'Rostered and not required'
· For turns commencing during the period 17:00 hours on Thursday 24th December 2009 to 05:59 hours on Sunday 27th December 2009 and also where the majority of time worked fall within this period:-
· £350 (taxable) bonus.
· plus appropriate enhancement (double time).
· plus compensation day off in lieu.

CONTINGENCY COVER

· Employees required to be on 'contingency cover' (on-call) between 12:00 hours on Thursday 24th December 2009 to 12:00 hours on Sunday 27th December 2009 to receive a lump sum of £175 for each period of such commitment where the majority of the 'contingency cover' (on-call) falls within this period. If required to work, a minimum of 3 hours payment at the appropriate enhanced rate will be paid. In addition, a compensation day off in lieu is granted after 3.5 hours.
· It should be noted that in the event of being required to attend work and they complete 50% or more of what would be deemed a normal shift, the bonus payment will be £350 and NOT £175.

2. NEW YEAR

· Friday the 1st of January 2010- 'Rostered and not required'
· For turns commencing during the period 17:00 hours on Thursday the 31st of December 2009 and 05:59 on Saturday the 2nd of January 2010 and also where the majority of time worked falls within this period:-
· £350 (taxable) bonus.
· plus appropriate enhancement (double time).
· plus compensation day off in lieu.

CONTINGENCY COVER

· Employees required to be on 'contingency cover, (on-call) between 12:00 hours on Thursday the 31st of December 2009 to 12:00 hours on Saturday 1st December 2010 to receive a lump sum of £175 for each period of such commitment where the majority of the 'contingency cover' (on-call) falls within this period. If required to work, a minimum of 3 hours payment at the appropriate enhanced rate will be paid. In addition, a compensation day off in lieu is granted after 3.5 hours.
· It should be noted that in the event of being required to attend work and they complete 50% or more of what would be deemed a normal shift, bonus payment payable will be £350 (taxable) bonus and NOT £175.

Future

To facilitate speedy conclusion of negotiations in future situations, it is proposed that the basic points of the above remain pretty much unchanged, with only the bonus payments increasing by whatever percentage was agreed in the annual payrise talks any given year.

Amey and Xmas working

Click on image to enlarge.

Click on image to enlarge.

Click on image to enlarge.

Above is the circular that has come out from Amey on the subject of Xmas working, nothing radical, and nothing particularly different from what Network Rail has indicated on the matter.

Some questions spring to mind. They say double time, £350 bonus plus a day in lieu. Does that mean double time + £350 + day in lieu, or double time + £350 - day in lieu?

The payments for on-call staff leave a lot to be desired, £75 a day plus doulbe time.

The move away from established formula's for Xmas working in past years has led to a bit of a pot luck approach every year. This has resulted in a marginally higher bonus and for some a marginally higher shift premium but not everyone. But for others it hasn't quite worked out so well, on-call being an example.

One other point that I always dislike, is the condition that they always attach to the bonus. If you turn in, work your socks off, and the job goes belly up it's all for nought. Maybe it's me, I just dislike strings.

So there isn't anything in it that would make me say it's good or great. More a case of that this is "what's on the table", and if it ticks your boxes then you'll be working, if not the you wont. The choice is yours at the end of the day.

Any comments appreciated.

RMT NEWS ALERT: Campaign Against Climate Change - National Demonstration

Click on image to enlarge.

18 November 2009

Dear Colleague,

Campaign Against Climate Change – National Demonstration

'Fight for 1 million Green Jobs'

Hyde Park, London

Assemble 12pm, Saturday 5th December 2009

The Campaign Against Climate Change has called demonstrations in London and Edinburgh on Saturday 5th December to fight for one million green jobs and publicity flyers are attached. The RMT is affiliated to the Campaign and I would urge all members to participate in these demonstrations. Assembly at the larger London event will be from 12pm in Hyde Park.

Climate change threatens millions of people around the globe and without serious action, the planet's future is very bleak. This December the international community gathers in Copenhagen to discuss a new climate change treaty. At the same time the world is in the grip of a terrible financial crisis and unemployment in Britain is climbing towards 3 million. The Government promised to invest in green jobs as a path to recovery, but as this Union knows too well from all the transport workers made redundant to Vestas, those words ring hollow.

We urgently need to invest in green energy, public transport and insulation schemes which have the potential to create green jobs.

For further details, including the details of the Edinburgh event, visit www.campaigncc.org or call 020 7833 9311.

Yours sincerely,
Bob Crow
General Secretary

RMT begins balloting in four separate disputes with TfL employers

TUBE and TfL union RMT today began balloting four separate groups of members for industrial action in four separate localised trade disputes:

• EDF Energy Powerlink – a re-ballot of members in support of this year's pay claim following the use of the anti-trade union laws to overturn a previous 5 to 1 vote for action on a turnout of over 80%

• London Underground Hammersmith Depot Drivers – dispute over the imposition of rosters and duty schedules on train operators at Hammersmith Depot without the agreement of local representatives

• Stratford Market Depot – Alstom Metro Trains - - harmonisation dispute following a failure to agree and the exhaustion of the local negotiating process.

• LUL Willesden Green Group Station Staff – dispute over the unfair dismissal of Colleen Johnston, Station Supervisor and in support of her unconditional reinstatement

RMT has also today served notice on London Underground for a ballot of staff over pay and conditions with the ballot closing on Monday 21^st December.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary said today:

"Despite the use of the courts and the anti-trade union laws to try and shackle the RMT our members on London Underground and TfL continue to show their determination to fight for decent pay and conditions and against attacks on the union.

"In these four separate ballots on four localised trade disputes RMT is showing again that this trade union will not be found wanting when it comes to fighting for fairness and justice in the workplace."

RMT NEWS ALERT: Credit Union Prize Draw - £500 First Prize

18 November 2009

Dear Colleague,

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SHARE OF £1000 IN THE RMT CREDIT UNION CHRISTMAS DRAW

EXISTING MEMBERS AND THOSE WHO JOIN THE RMT CREDIT UNION BEFORE 10 DECEMBER

RMT's Credit Union will be holding a Christmas prize draw for all new and existing members at its AGM to be held at Unity House on Thursday 10 December in association with RMT Solicitors, Thompsons. The RMT will award a first prize of £500 and five prizes of £100 to the lucky winners who will have the money added to their shareholdings to save or spend as they wish.  

REMEMBER, YOU HAVE TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT.

To be eligible you have to be a member of the RMT Credit Union by 9 December 2009.

Fed up with the banks?  Try the RMT Credit Union

The RMT Credit Union is your financial helping hand – and it's part of the union!

Irresponsible banks have driven us to a massive economic crisis.  Now is the time for working people to pull together and turn to our traditional values of self-help and mutual support.  That's where your RMT Credit Union comes in.  Owned and controlled by RMT members, it provides savings and loan facilities on a not-for-profit-basis.

RMT Credit Union – Be part of it!

The RMT Credit Union belongs to all of us, so join us now.  Membership is open to RMT members and retired members, and family of RMT members are welcome too.

For details and an application see your copy of RMT News, RMT Website www.rmt.org.uk or email c.union@rmt.org.uk or call the RMT Credit Union direct on 0207 529 8835.

Bob Crow

RMT General Secretary

RMT to stage tube cleaners protest as top TfL bosses pull in 50% bonus increase

TUBE AND TfL union RMT will be holding a demonstration in support of London Underground cleaners fight against privatisation this Wednesday (18 November) as it emerged that senior TfL bosses have received a 50% increase in bonus payments over the past two years from £3.6 million in 2007 to £5.3 million this year.

The tube cleaners, who are also fighting for TfL Chair Boris Johnson's London Living Wage, will be outside the former Metronet headquarters at Templar House, 81-87 High Holborn at 12 noon on Wednesday 18^th November.

RMT is demanding that all tube cleaning services should be brought back in house on decent wages and terms and conditions with the cleaners recognised as an integral part of the London Underground team rather than a soft touch for cuts and exploitation.

In a separate part of RMT's campaign for Cleaners Justice the union has attacked the private company Advance – who clean train trains for Southern running out of London Bridge and Victoria – for slashing staffing levels in order to prop up their profits. RMT is warning that the cleaning cuts will leave trains dirty on these important London commuter services.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary said:

"The continued attacks on tube cleaners, and on the staff working for Advance on Southern, show that senior tube and rail managers, and the Mayor himself, are prepared to turn a blind eye while those doing the dirtiest jobs on the lowest pay are kicked from pillar to post. That's a disgrace.

"Londoners should not tolerate a situation where TfL bosses get a 50% increase in bonuses over the past two years while some of their own cleaners on the tube are denied the Mayor's London Living Wage and are forced to endure the uncertainty of repeated privatisation.

"RMT's fight for justice for cleaners on our transport system will continue to put this issue right in front of the Mayor and the senior bosses who have the power to stop this exploitation."

RMT to ballot South Wales signalling staff for action over imposition of rosters

RAIL UNION RMT announced today that it is to ballot a group of signalling staff in the Wales and the Marches Operations area for strike action and action short of strike action over the imposition of rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre due to open in January 2010.

The ballot will cover RMT signalling grades members at the following NR signalling locations in the Wales and Marches Operations Area; the new South Wales Control Centre, Newport panel, Vale of Glamorgan (Barry Box, Barry Relief, Aberthaw Box, Cowbridge Road Box), Rhymney Valley (Heath Junction, Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed), Cardiff panel and Port Talbot panel.

The ballot will run from Friday 20^th November to Thursday 3^rd December 2009.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"Our members are furious at the attempt to bulldoze through rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre which we believe are all about saving money and which unilaterally rip up existing agreements

"RMT maintains that the existing 12 hour roster is tried and tested and that the 8 hour roster that Network Rail are trying to impose at the new South Wales Control Centre when it opens in January will have damaging consequences.

"We remain available for talks and would urge Network Rail to get back around the table to negotiate a settlement to this dispute."

Xmas working

Click on image to enlarge.

The above is a letter from Network Rail dated the 6th of October, sent out by Peter Williams, Head of Commercial, Infrastructure Investments at Network Rail. On the subject of Xmas working.

I heard from a colleague who attended the Amey company council on the 21st of October, that Amey had stated that Network Rail hadn't given them any firm details as to what they'd be paying over the Xmas period and so were unable to say what Amey would be offering.

One has to assume someone is telling a porkie somewhere.

RMT pledges to fight 1600 threatened job losses at Babcock Rail

RAIL UNION RMT today pledged to fight plans which could potentially lead to the loss of 1600 jobs at the Glasgow-based rail division of engineering giant Babcock International.

The threatened job cuts have been directly linked to the deferral of nearly a third of Network Rail's track renewal programme this year.

In a profit statement yesterday, Babcock bosses confirmed that they are considering the possibility of closing the rail division, reducing it's size of selling it off. RMT warned that the job loss programme has already begun with over 260 jobs being axed in recent months.

The union has also pointed to the impact of the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link by the SNP administration in Scotland and a new wave of maintenance cutbacks being driven through by Network Rail.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said

"With today's unemployment figures showing a continuing rise the threat to 1600 engineering jobs at Babcock Rail is another massive potential body blow to UK industry.

"We need urgent government intervention to protect what's left of our industrial production capacity at companies like Babcock Rail and with the planned expansion and modernisation of the rail network the threat that any of these 1600 workers could end up thrown on the dole is madness."

RMT calls for renationalisation of London Midland rail franchise

RAIL UNION RMT today called on the government to take back the London Midland rail franchise from the parent Govia group after the company was hit with a remedial notice for persistent poor performance and failure to deliver an acceptable quality of service.

The RMT demand for renationalisation of London Midland comes just days before the East Coast Main Line is due to be taken back into public ownership and with the government coming under massive pressure to seize back the keys on National Express's two other franchises – C2C and East Anglia.

In a statement today, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has confirmed that London Midland has been put under the special measures of a Remedial Notice for "exceeding the franchise agreement threshold on cancellations".

RMT research shows that London Midland cancelled 7,558 services in 2008/2009, the second worst performance on the network after Southern, and had cancelled 2,714 services between April and October this year.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said today:

"The privatisation of the railways is collapsing around the government's ears and the time has come to draw a line under the franchise disaster and get all these services back under public control where they belong.

"London Midland sucked up a £114.2 million subsidy from the taxpayer in 2008/2009 and yet despite that massive bung from the public purse their performance has been a disgrace.

"With the East Coast coming back into public control at midnight on Friday, and with massive pressure on the government to seize back National Express East Anglia and C2C, the momentum for full-scale renationalisation of the railways is gaining pace by the day. The news of the wholesale failure on London Midland will be another nail in the coffin of the rail privatisation disaster."

RMT pledges all out fight to stop plans to privatise Royal Fleet Auxiliary

MARTIME UNION RMT today pledged an all out fight to block plans to privatise the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – the navy's lifeline delivering fuel, food stores and ammunition – after it emerged today that pressure from Treasury officials had forced the Ministry of Defence to consider handing the RFA over to private companies, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

RMT warned that the flogging off of the RFA to private companies would threaten the reliability and security of this vital lifeline to our naval vessels around the world as the drive for profits and cuts would override the quality of service. The MoD would also lose direct control of the most essential element of the Royal Navy's support structure.

RMT has also pointed out that a review of the of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary just two years ago concluded that the service was first rate and that there was no need to review it again until 2020.

Under the MoD proposals today a new review, expected to recommend privatisation, will be cobbled together in just two or three months in time for the pre-Budget report.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said today:

"It is a national disgrace that top of the list for Government public spending cuts and privatisation is the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – the essential lifeline to Royal Navy vessels on active service all around the globe.

"RMT will mobilise to fight this plan which would amount to an act of short-term suicide that would rob the navy of over a hundred years of experience in the dash for public spending cuts and private profits. RMT is seeking an urgent meeting with Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth to prevent this act of vandalism from reaching the pre-Budget report."

Steve Todd, RMT National Maritime Secretary, said:

"Thousands of skilled merchant seafarers, serving the Royal Navy in war zones around the world and here at home, face the prospect of being slung on the scrap heap. That is a disgraceful kick in the teeth to brave seafarers who have played a vital role in conflict after conflict with many paying the ultimate price with their lives."

Thompsons Trade Union Law Service: Regional Briefing No.3

The revised ACAS Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities has been approved by the Minister for Business and will come into force early in 2010.  It revises the 2003 Code of Practice and is intended to reflect the changing nature of the workplace and the effect of this on time off arrangements for trade union representatives.  Once approved, the Code will be admissible in evidence in Tribunal proceedings and any relevant provisions shall be taken into account by the Tribunal (although a failure to observe the Code will not create any claim in itself).  Annexed to the Code are the statutory provisions relating to time off for trade union duties and activities, contained in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (sections 168 to 170, 173, 178 and 119).  Separate guidance on managing time off has also been produced.  The Code and guidance can be downloaded from www.acas.org.uk.

This briefing does not seek to explain the law relating to time off, but simply to flag up the main changes to the ACAS Code which will need to be kept in mind when advising the unions and assessing potential claims.  Whilst breaches of the Code will not create causes of action in themselves, the majority of the changes should provide unions with useful ammunition when dealing with reluctant or obstructive employers in the workplace.

Significant Changes

1. Section 188 and TUPE

There is now specific reference to time off where the representative's duties are concerned with the receipt of information from the employer and consultation under section 188 TULR(C)A or under TUPE, where the duties are concerned with negotiations concerning agreements under regulation 9 of TUPE (agreements to vary contracts in insolvency situations) or the performance of functions related to regulation 9 agreements [pages 8 and 12 of the Code].

2.  Payment for time off and adjustment of targets

The Code now states that "the calculation of pay for the time taken for trade union duties should be undertaken with due regard to the type of payment system applying to the union representative including, as appropriate, shift premia, performance related pay, bonuses and commission earnings".  In addition, "where pay is linked to the achievement of performance targets it may be necessary to adjust such targets to take account of the reduced time the representative has to achieve the desired performance" [page 13 of the Code].

Identical provision is made in relation to payment for time off to undertake training [page 20 of the Code], but note that there is no statutory requirement for payment to be made in respect of time off to undertake trade union activities.

3.  E-learning

The Code states that E-learning tools in relation to the role of union representatives should be used "where appropriate and available".  However, it emphasises that these should be in addition to attendance at approved TUC courses and that "time needs to be given during normal working hours for union representatives to take advantage of e-learning where it is available" [page 17 of the Code].

4.  Taking part in trade union activities

The Code's examples of trade union activities of a trade union member (as opposed to a union representative) have been extended to include attending workplace meetings to discuss and vote on the outcome of negotiations with the employer "at the employer's neighbouring locations" (where this has been agreed by the employer), and having access to services provided by a Union Learning Representative [page 21 of the Code].

5.  Management of time off: cover and workload adjustments

The Code now states that "employers should ensure that, where necessary, work cover and/or work load reductions are provided when time off is required.  This can include the allocation of duties to other employees, rearranging work to a different time or a reduction in workloads" [page 24 of the Code].

6.  Facilities for union representatives: confidential space

Where resources permit, facilities for union representatives should include "confidential space", where employees involved in grievance or disciplinary matters can discuss matters with their representative in private, or where other confidential issues can be discussed.

Union representatives should also be provided with access to members who work at a different location and access to e-learning tools where computer facilities are available [page 24 of the Code].

7.  Confidentiality

The Code contains a new requirement for union representatives to comply with "agreed procedures" when using facilities provided by the employer, including in particular, maintaining the confidentiality of information they are given access to "where the disclosure would seriously harm the functioning of, or would be prejudicial to, the employer's business interests".

Similarly, the Code requires employers to "respect the confidential and sensitive nature of communications between union representatives and their members and trade union" and provides that regular or random monitoring of union e-mails should not normally take place [page 25 of the Code].

8.  Flexibility

The Code includes a requirement for union representatives to be "as flexible as possible" when seeking time off, where the "immediate or unexpected needs of the business" make it difficult for their time off to be managed.  However, it also states that employers should "recognise the mutual obligation to allow union representatives to undertake their duties" [page 26 of the Code].

9.  Management responsibilities

In accordance with the Code, line managers should be familiar with the rights and duties regarding time off and "should be encouraged to take reasonable steps as necessary in the planning and management of representatives' time off and the provision of cover or work load reduction, taking into account the legitimate needs of such union representatives to discharge their functions and receive training efficiently and effectively" [page 27 of the Code].

Thompsons Trade Union Law Group

November 2009

RMT warns of “total chaos” as nearly half of NR maintenance job cuts target WCML

NEW RESEARCH by rail union RMT has revealed that nearly half of the maintenance job cuts planned by Network Rail are targeted at the West Coast Main Line, a franchise operated by Virgin Trains and the busiest rail corridor on the entire UK system.

Detailed information received by RMT has confirmed that 1448 jobs on Network Rail maintenance have now been identified for the axe. 650 of those posts are on the West Coast Main Line (WCML).

WCML has been plagued with problems since a multi-billion pound upgrade that have hit services hard. Those repeated infrastructure failures have required additional input from maintenance crews on a regular basis. RMT are warning that the line will be thrown into "total chaos" if the proposed job cuts are allowed to go through.

Network Rail was fined £14 million for engineering overruns at Rugby over the Christmas and New Year period 2007/2008. There have been repeated rows over who is responsible for poor service delivery with Virgin Trains.

WCML is forecast to be running at full capacity by the end of the next decade, increasing the maintenance demand on the route.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

"With the well-documented history of infrastructure problems and failures on the West Coast Main Line it simply defies all logic that Network Rail could even be considering axing 650 maintenance jobs as part of their national cost reduction plan.

"We should also remember that the Grayrigg disaster occurred on the WCML and that reports into that incident fingered systemic problems with the maintenance regime. Under those circumstances alone it beggars belief that Network Rail could be even considering hundreds of maintenance job cuts.

"RMT is committed to fighting the national jobs cull across Network Rail and we will be drawing in political and public support across the country for what is an important battle for safety and reliability on the rail network."

RMT convenes conference on the crisis in working class political representation.

In an important initiative aimed at shifting the political debate away from the cuts and pro-business agenda of the three main parties, transport union RMT is convening a conference on the "Crisis in Working Class Representation" in London this Saturday (7th November).

The RMT-sponsored conference comes at a time of increasing industrial militancy and will look at harnessing rank and file anger at attacks on jobs, pay, conditions and pensions into a co-ordinated political voice. The event will also bring together climate activists, pensioners, students, anti-racists and campaigners from both Britain and Ireland continuing the fight against the issues at the core of the Lisbon Treaty.

Speakers at the conference will include Bob Crow from the RMT, Brian Caton from the Prison Officers Association, Matt Wrack from the FBU, Susan Press from the Labour Representation Committee and Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

"Saturday's conference comes at a crucial time for working people in this country. The gap between rich and poor has never been greater, the BNP are on the streets and on the TV spreading their poison and seeking to exploit the political vacuum and yet the three main parties are all spouting the same pro-bosses mantra of public spending cuts and privatisation.

"We have seen from the transport sector, the firefighters, the postal workers, bin workers, BA and the construction industry that the working class is prepared to fight. People up and down the country are angry that they are being told to pay the price for the recession while the speculators who created it are bailed out to the tune of tens of billions and are gearing up for a bumper round of Christmas bonuses at our expense.

"Millions of working class people have been disenfranchised by the political establishment. Our aim is to give them a voice."

Detailed plans confirm timescale and strategy for renationalising ECML

Detailed plans outlining the timescale and strategy for the renationalising of the East Coast Main Line following the collapse of the National Express franchise have now been received by rail union RMT.

A new publicly owned company, trading under the brand name East Coast, is scheduled to take over the operation of the route from the 12^th of December 2009.

Whilst welcoming the return to public ownership and control of the East Coast Main Line, RMT are demanding to know why National Express's other two routes, East Anglia and C2C, have not been included in the plans under the cross-default clauses which should see them reclaimed from the company.

RMT are also raising questions over why the creation of the new publicly owned East Coast company, at massive cost to the taxpayer and creating huge upheaval for staff and passengers, is only seen as a short term measure with the Government planning a third gamble on privatisation in mid-2011 despite the failures of both GNER and National Express on this important section of the rail network.

RMT have also lodged formal demands that no member of staff transferring from National Express to East Coast should suffer any detriment to their current benefits or terms and conditions.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

"Now that the government have set out a clear timetable for renationalising the East Coast Main Line from the 12th of December RMT is demanding an absolute assurance that this will be a permanent move that recognises the chaotic failures of privatisation on this prestige route on the UK rail network. It would be a total waste of taxpayers money and staff time and energy to have a third gamble on privatisation in 18 months time.

"We are also demanding that the government get off the fence and strip National Express of their two other franchises - C2C and East Anglia - under the cross-default clause. Anything else would be a reward for failure on a massive scale.

"Finally, we want a clear recognition of the hard work and dedication of staff who have kept the East Coast Main Line running throughout the privatisation fiasco and an assurance that there will be no attacks on their benefits or working conditions."