ConDem's declare war on Trade Union Movement

REPORTS THIS morning that the ConDem Government are planning to rig the anti-union laws even further in favour of the employers have been slammed as a "declaration of war" on the Trade Union Movement as the administration seeks to prevent workers from fighting back against attacks on jobs and working conditions and against public spending cuts.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"The ConDems know that the main opposition to their austerity and cuts plans will come from the Trade Unions. They are running scared and are now looking to tighten the noose of the anti-union laws around the workers necks to choke off resistance.

"Under these proposals to raise the bar hardly a single MP in the UK would have been allowed to take up their seats. It's one law for the political class and one law for the working class in a move that has echoes of a right-wing South American dictatorship.

"The idea that Boris Johnson has been called in to advise after dealing with RMT on the tube is incredible. Our members on Tube Lines will be out on strike again next week as they stand up for jobs and safety.

"This is a declaration of war on the Trade Union Movement and our response will be robust as we lay down plans for co-ordinated and generalised industrial and community action against the cuts."

RMT sounds safety alarm over 40% transport cuts

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today raised serious safety fears over rail maintenance as it emerged over the weekend that the transport budget is being lined up for cuts of up to 40% as the ConDem government tightens the screw on public spending.

RMT is warning that the scale of cuts being planned will savage maintenance and renewals work dragging the railways back to the chaotic and lethal conditions under the Railtrack regime that led to the Potters Bar and Hatfield tragedies.

The procurement of new rolling stock is being scrapped, fares are set to increase by up to 10% and developments like high speed and electrification are being shelved.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"With cuts of up to 40% in the transport budget we are looking at thousands of job losses amongst the staff who operate and maintain services with dire consequences for passenger safety as corners are cut. It is crystal clear that modernisation and upgrade works will be axed with high speed, electrification and Crossrail all on the butchers block.

"With the government also planning to raise fares by up to 10% it doesn't take a genius to see that the state-funded racket of rail privatisation is being protected from the scorched-earth economics of the the ConDems.

"The public will be forced to pay through the nose to travel on condemned and crowded trains on creaking and dangerous track while the private rail companies are laughing all the way to the bank."

Pay research

Latest research out on the subject of staff pay indicated that increasing peoples pay, giving them more money didn't make them happier. It tended to do the opposite and make the unhappier. Here are two takes on it from different perspectives.

RMT’s Bob Crow calls for “generalised strikes and community direct action”

SPEAKING TO delegates at transport union RMT's annual conference in Aberdeen today, General Secretary Bob Crow will issue a "call to arms" to the entire Labour and Trade Union Movement and communities under attack for a "sustained campaign of generalised strikes across both the public and private sectors and community direct action to defend public services in the teeth of the fiscal fascism being unleashed by this ConDem government."

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, will say:

"This ConDem administration has thrown down the biggest challenge to the Trade Union Movement since Margaret Thatcher took on the National Union of Mineworkers. I have no hesitation in saying that it will take general and co-ordinated strike action across the public and private sectors to stop their savage assault on jobs, living standards and public services.

"The Trade Unions must form alliances with community groups, campaigns and pensioners organisations in the biggest show of united resistance since the success of the anti-poll tax movement. Waving banners and placards will not be enough – it will take direct action to stop the Cameron and Clegg cuts machine.

"We have a right wing Tory Government propped up by a Liberal Party that has binned every commitment that it gave to voters in the run up to the election in order to grab power. That's why we say this administration has no mandate for its cuts and that's why we argue that bulldozing through their austerity measures amounts to fiscal fascism. It was zombie capitalism that dragged us into this mess and our people should not be made to pay to clear it up.

"The Trade Unions can only fight these attacks from the front foot. We have a Government of millionaire public school boys who are determined to rule by fear – fear of losing your job, fear of losing your home and fear of losing your benefits and the public services that you rely on.

"RMT says don't fear them, fight them. Our Trade Union has a slogan, "never on our knees", and from Aberdeen we want those words to ring out on the Millionaires Row of Clegg and Cameron. They started this fight with the working class and we are up for it."

REORGANISATION, TRACK RENEWALS (EXCL. PLANT) - AMEYCOLAS JOINT VENTURE

Our Ref: BR4/15/4

30^th June 2010

Dear Colleague,

REORGANISATION, TRACK RENEWALS (EXCL. PLANT) – AMEYCOLAS JOINT VENTURE

I write to inform you that the RMT have entered into a formal 90-day consultation period following the shocking and disappointing announcement that the AmeyColas Joint Venture are proposing the loss of 170 of the 540 posts. In relation to the Track Grades this will mean a staggering reduction of 60% from 228 posts to just 90. The affected Track workers depots will be Bletchly, Bristol, Doncaster, Newport, Saltley and Alpha Tower and Swindon. The remaining 32 redundancies will be spread over other various departments.

Regional Organiser, Brendan Kelly, attended a meeting last week with senior representatives from AmeyColas and they stated that the main rationales behind these proposals are as follows;

• Network Rail imposed efficiently savings of 21%.
• High output contract now capped at fixed rate of £118k/ckm (10% below current operating cost).
• The Conventional (R24) contract is now capped at 10% below 2009/10 levels.
• The rate that the JV gets paid will drop a further 20% in 11/12.

This is clearly not only an attack on jobs but also on pay and conditions. The Joint Venture will not be able to manage their current workload with their newly proposed staffing levels and so inevitably will increase their use of sub-contractors on worse pay and conditions. The company have also made it very clear that they will be seeking to change the present terms and conditions with a view to making the workforce 'more flexible'. Historically such developments have always been to the detriment of the employee.

Your union does not endorse any compulsory redundancies and these proposals are being taken very seriously. However, in all employment matters I expect the Company to adhere to the PTR&R (Promotion, Transfer, Redundancy & Promotion), which can be viewed in the Pay and Conditions database in the Members' area of the RMT website (www.rmt.org.uk).

With a view to being prepared for all eventualities I ask that you contact the RMT Helpline on 0800 376 3706 to confirm your employment and personal details. It is also important that all current local reps and Safety reps contact the Bristol regional office on 0117 925 5018 with their current details. Alternatively you can contact the full time officer Brendan Kelly on 07815 967 675 or email on b.kelly@rmt.org.uk

This would also be a beneficial time for any of your colleagues who are not members of the RMT to join, always remember that there is strength in numbers, and I ask that you encourage them to join, either by phoning the Helpline or seeing the RMT website.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

AmeyClas Reorganisation 21st June 2010, Proposed changes shown

All the images can be enlarged by clicking upon them, these are the current organisational charts as AmeyColas is today. They show the extent of the changes once the reorganisation has taken place. A colour code system is used and is as follows:

GREEN = Outside the scope of this reorganisation.
BLUE = Mapped, unaffected by the reorganisation.
YELLOW = At risk, posts to be reduced.
RED = Posts do not exist with the new organisation.

AmeyColas Western 1, Project Specific Management.

AmeyColas Western 2, Teamleaders and trackworkers.

AmeyColas Western 3 High Output Swindon.

AmeyColas London North Western/Eastern 1, Organisation.

Two posts are gone at the Bletchley office in the new organisation, and three others are at risk.

AmeyColas London North Western/Eastern 2, Organisation.

AmeyColas London North Western/Eastern 3, Track Staff.

Under the reorganisation AmeyColas want 4 Team leaders and 12 Trackmen under Bletchley depot.

RMT slams 'lethal and unworkable' Tory plans

TUBE UNION RMT tonight condemned "lethal and unworkable" plans leaked to the BBC from within the GLA Tory Group to axe all train drivers and operators on London Underground and to move the entire tube system to a driverless operation.

The leaked report, confirmed as being under discussion by the GLA Tories and which London Tory Mayor Boris Johnson is aware of, recommends sacking all of the 3,525 train drivers and operators estimating that it could result in savings of £141 million per annum.

The report is also clear that the plan is part of a secret drive by the Tory Party to break the strength of the Tube's biggest and most powerful trade union, RMT.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"Under normal circumstances I would be tempted to dismiss this leaked report as some kind of a joke, cooked up by anti-union fantasists, but in the current climate of cuts and attacks on public services we are taking it very seriously.

"People only have to look at the footage of the carnage down the tube after the 7/7 bombings, and the brave and critical role played by train operators and platform staff in dealing with that emergency situation, to see why these crew are so vital to the safety of Londoners.

"The people behind this Tory Party report not only want to get rid of the drivers but they want no staff on the tube trains at all. That just proves that they have no understanding of the tube system and a complete and utter disregard for passenger safety.

"It may well be that some junior politician is simply flying a kite to make a name for themselves but RMT will not sit back and allow this lethal and unworkable idea to gain any traction whatsoever.

"We are already involved in a battle to defend Tube Lines, station and platform jobs and our fight for safe staffing levels across London Underground, including the use of industrial action, will continue."

Important dates for your diary: Durham Miners Gala & Tolpuddle Festival

Dear Colleague,

Important dates for your diary:

Durham Miners Gala Saturday 10^th July 2010

Tolpuddle Festival Friday 16^th July to Sunday 18^th July 2010

Key dates in the calendar of the trade union movement have been announced and as ever, I would like to encourage RMT members to attend to ensure the maximum Union presence where we can pay tribute to working class solidarity and our trade union forefathers at the Tolpuddle Festival and the Durham Miners Gala.

Please bring your banners flags and whistles! 

Durham Miners Gala Saturday 10^th July 2010

The past struggles of mineworkers and the NUM continue to inspire working people everywhere and tens of thousands of trade unionists will gather in Durham to pay tribute to their example. The RMT has a special bond with the Gala through the solidarity shown by the NUR and NUS during the landmark 1984 dispute. I will provide more details when they are available.  

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival Friday 16^th July to Sunday 18^th July 2010, Tolpuddle, Dorset

The Tolpuddle Festival commemorates an historic episode in the struggle for trade union rights in Britain and around the world. In 1834 six farm labourers from Tolpuddle were arrested on a charge of taking part in an illegal oath ceremony. The real offence was that they had dared to form a trade union to defend their livelihoods. For this they were sentenced to seven year's transportation to the penal colonies of Australia. The sentences provoked an immense outcry, leading to the first great trade union protest. The campaign won free pardons and the Martyrs returned to England. For further information on the Tolpuddle Festival, see www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk  

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

RMT warns of Government plans to axe thousands of transport jobs

TRANSPORT UNION RMT warned today that the new Government is planning to take an axe to transport budgets as the department is lined up as a soft touch for cuts, putting thousands of jobs on rail and the buses at risk.

The warning comes as the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) predicted 33% fare increases over this parliament, fewer buses and a shortage of train capacity – all of which will push more people back into their cars and make a mockery of Government claims to support a green transport policy. CBT have also warned that "buses will become extinct outside the centres of cities and towns" under this Government.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond – who will be visiting the Crossrail project this afternoon – has also made it clear that he will pursue a review of rail costs that will lock in and protect the inefficiency and fragmentation of privatisation, and which will ring fence the profits and fare increases to the private train operators with even longer franchises, while safety-critical jobs are sacrificed.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today:

"The Government have sent out the clearest possible signal that transport is going to be right in the front line as the cuts assault on our services is unleashed.

"During the election there were predictions that the transport budget could be slashed by 27% - that now looks like an underestimate. Thousands of jobs on the trains, buses, rail infrastructure and operations and the Tube are at risk while the waste, profits and subsidies of privatisation and the private train operators are ring fenced with even longer, gold-plated franchises.

"Today Philip Hammond visits Crossrail, an infrastructure project which, like High Speed, electrification and the Tube upgrades, is on the critical list as the ConDems look to dump manifesto commitments to vital transport modernisation projects.

"RMT is committed to mobilising to fight the attacks on jobs and services in the sectors we organise and will co-ordinate resistance with other trade unions facing similar threats."

Eighth Annual RMT Garden Party for Cuba - with Alabama 3

Dear colleagues, 

Eighth Annual RMT Garden Party for Cuba - with special appearance from Alabama 3 

Just to remind you that tickets are now available for the eighth annual RMT Garden Party for Cuba, which will be held at Maritime House in Clapham, London, on the evening of Tuesday June 22 this year.

The event, which we organise in conjunction with the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, has become a firm favourite on the movement's calendar – an opportunity to have a great time while raising money for a good cause. 

As usual, there will be live music – with a special guest appearance by our good friends the Alabama 3 –  good food and a free bar, as well as special guests, including the Cuban Ambassador, H.E Rene Mujica Cantelar ; John McDonnell MP; Tony Benn; Unite assistant general secretary Len McLusky, and Geoff Shears.

Tickets, at £15, can be ordered from RMT, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD (cheques payable to RMT). Credit card orders can be taken by telephone on 020 7387 4771 

I hope to see you there

Best wishes, 

Bob Crow

RMT General Secretary

RMT warns of “dangerous” staff cuts to stations serving Arsenal football ground.

TUBE UNION RMT today exposed the safety dangers of cutting station staff serving one of London's largest regular crowd venues – Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

RMT have revealed that London Underground plan to almost halve staffing numbers at stations that come under enormous pressure when matches and events are being held at the Emirates. The stations affected are Arsenal, Finsbury Park, Caledonian Road and Holloway Road - all on the Piccadilly line.

Congestion Control Emergency Plans (CCEP's) have been altered showing dangerous cuts to staffing – impacting on day to day safety as well as for events at the Emirates. For example, the largest and busiest station Finsbury Park, which serves Victoria and Piccadilly Lines, as well as national rail to Stevenage, Peterborough and Cambridge, will be cut from the current staffing level of 20 to just 12. This will seriously increase the risk of major incidents and dangerously reduce the ability to evacuate quickly and safely.

RMT general Secretary Bob Crow said:

"Once again, Boris Johnson has broken another pledge - that he would protect front line staff and services from any budget cuts. Now we see that he plans to dramatically increase the risk to staff and football fans alike by ruthlessly slashing essential staff serving one of London's busiest sporting venues. This is just a foretaste of what's to come as we build up towards the 2012 Olympics.

"The cuts to staffing at stations around the Arsenal ground are matched by cuts elsewhere on the Tube where 800 jobs are under threat and we are committed to taking action to protect both our members and the travelling public."

RMT reissues demand that Scotrail scrap plans to axe Guards.

RAIL UNION RMT today reissued its demand that Scotrail call an immediate halt to plans to extend Driver Only Operation on its services as it emerged that another train derailed on the Oban-Glasgow line at Falls of Cruachan 13 years ago due to a landslip. Incredibly, the same Guard, Angus MacColl, was on board both trains and was praised back in 1997 for his professional and calm response as he implemented emergency procedures.

The previous derailment occurred on the 5^th April 1997  just yards from Sunday evening's incident. 40 passengers were on board when the train hit a landslip of silts and boulders, derailing the train which, on this occasion, remained upright.

Due to a fault with the radio that night it was the Guard, Mr MacColl, who left the train and walked back to the nearest phone to contact the emergency services, ensuring the safe evacuation of passengers and securing the area.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

In the light of Sunday evening's incident, and the previous derailment on the same section of track just thirteen years ago, it would be a scandal if First Scotrail and the Scottish Government pressed on with their cash-driven plans to axe the Guards on the new Airdrie-Bathgate route.

In incident after incident on our railways, going back many years, the safety-critical role of the Guard in an emergency situation like Sunday night's has been both recognised and praised by the investigating authorities.

The lesson is simple and is staring Scotrail in the face. In an emergency you need both the driver and the Guard, working as a team, to secure the incident and to implement safe, evacuation procedures.

Scotrail cannot be allowed to get away with praising Angus MacColl on one hand and then axing his colleagues from their services on the other. The political leaders at the Scottish Government cannot stand idly by while they try to do just that. We are demanding an immediate halt to the Scotrail plans for Driver Only Operation.

RMT calls for immediate halt to Driver Only Operation of trains

RAIL UNION RMT today called for an immediate halt to the rolling out of Driver Only Operation (DOO) on Scotrail train services as the investigations into last night's derailment in Argyll get under way.

RMT will be writing to the Scottish Government and Scotrail demanding a halt to their ongoing plans to introduce Driver Only Operation on the new Airdrie-Bathgate route – pointing out that last night's incident has once again confirmed the safety-critical role that the guard plays in an emergency situation and that it was only the experience and training of the guard, working with the driver, that avoided a major disaster.

The first car derailed and was left suspended with only the coupling of the second car preventing it from falling down the hillside in what would have been a major disaster. While the driver put out a fire in the carriage, the guard activated emergency procedures and the evacuation of the passengers and it was the quick thinking and team working of the two crew that led the 60 people on board to safety.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today:

"The guard and the driver on last night's 6.20pm service from Glasgow to Oban are true heroes who showed once again that you need trained and experienced crew to cope with an emergency situation. It is a miracle that a major disaster was avoided and the incident shows once again that corners cannot be cut when it comes to rail safety.

"If this train had been driver only operation it would have put the driver in an impossible and potentially lethal situation – attempting to extinguish a fire while safely evacuating a train just cannot be done and Scotrail and the Scottish Government now need to recognise that and call a halt to their plans to roll out driver only operation."

Government slammed for ring-fencing profits for private train operators

RAIL UNION RMT today accused the government of moving towards a "slash and burn" attack on transport budgets as a barrage of announcements this week confirmed that the profits and subsidies of the private train operating companies are being ring-fenced while key modernisation, maintenance and upgrade works are being ditched in an all-out dash for cuts:

· Moves announced this morning to haul back the rail carriage procurement programme – following on from the shelving of the planned replacement of the Intercity train fleet earlier this year – flying in the face of government commitments to expand rail capacity.

· A demand by the regulator – the ORR – that Network Rail speed up and extend its cuts to both rail maintenance and the renewals programme putting hundreds more safety-critical jobs at risk.

· Expected increases of 6% in passenger fares – linked to the July rate of RPI – blowing apart Lib Dem election pledges to cut fares.

· A proposal by Network Rail boss Iain Coucher to delay electrification while also saying publicly that Crossrail works have "not gone so far that they could not be stopped".

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today:

"Just a few weeks into this ConDem administration we can now see their transport policy taking shape – ring-fencing the profits, subsidies and fare increases of the private train operators while passengers are forced to travel in slow-moving, over-crowded cattle trucks on dangerously under-maintained tracks.

"All the warm words of this new government on a high-speed, green future for expanded rail travel are evaporating before our very eyes as transport is seen as a soft-target for early cuts with the private companies given a green light to continue milking profits and subsidies which could be used to invest for the future.

"Meanwhile the rail regulator (the ORR) is setting out a bonus regime for Network Rail chief Iain Coucher and his top brass which is effectively a "Butchers Charter" – the more safety-critical staff you sack, the bigger your bonus.

"As the Potters Bar inquest continues there is no question that this systematic undermining of rail budgets and rail safety makes another major disaster an inevitability and RMT will take whatever action is required to protect jobs, safe working conditions and the safety of the travelling public."

RMT challenges the UK anti-trade union laws in European Court of Human Rights

TRANSPORT UNION RMT announced today that it is launching an unprecedented challenge to the UK's anti-trade union laws in the European Court of Human Rights.

Papers on behalf of RMT will be lodged with the European Court today by the union and its solicitors. RMT will argue on behalf of its members that its ability to organise industrial action to protect its members is restricted by UK law in a breach of Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The union will be represented in the Court by RMT's standing counsel John Hendy QC and Marcus Pilgerstorfer, instructed by Thompsons Solicitors.

The cases that RMT are challenging at European level are the EDF Energy court challenge and Hydrex dispute. These involved two groups of RMT members who balloted for industrial action last autumn – details of the cases in the editors notes below.

The RMT is putting forward arguments about two restrictions imposed by UK legislation in respect of the EDF and Hydrex cases which it says are incompatible with Article 11 of the Euopean Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. They are as follows:

1. the statutory requirement for the union to serve on an employer a notice which must fulfill onerous conditions such as providing the identification of the specific job descriptions of the intended voters; and

2. the absolute prohibition on unions organising solidarity industrial action (even where the secondary employer is closely associated with the primary employer in dispute).

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"The shackles that the anti-trade union laws have thrown around workers in this country seeking to take industrial action in defence of jobs and working conditions have got tighter and tighter in the past year and the EDF and Hydrex cases last autumn were pivotal with ramifications for the entire trade union movement.

"RMT is in no doubt that the fundamental human right to withdraw labour has been systematically undermined. This is clearly shown by the EDF and Hydrex cases and we have no option but to take these matters to the European Court in a bid to protect the rights of our members and of working people in Britain."

NOTE TO EDITORS:

1. On 23 October 2009 EDF Energy Powerlink Limited was granted an injunction by the High Court against the RMT restraining members from taking industrial action. The grounds for this decision was that the notice of ballot had not sufficiently particularised the job descriptions of the members who were to be balloted. The consequence of this decision was that the union were denied the right to take strike action.

2. In August 2007 approximately 20 RMT members were transferred from Jarvis PLC to a company called Hydrex Equipment (UK) Limited. In September 2009 Hydrex sought to impose new terms and conditions on these members which were less favourable than those they had enjoyed when they worked for Jarvis PLC. The members organised industrial action, and the union wanted to call out its members at Jarvis PLC who had continued to work closely with the Hydrex members following the transfer. However UK law absolutely prohibits a trade union calling industrial action by members other than those employed by the employer directly in dispute. As a result the members at Jarvis PLC were denied the right to take strike action in solidarity, the members at Hydrex were denied the support of their colleagues and the union was denied the chance to take what would have been the most effective strike action for the purposes of protecting its members' interests.

RMT demands concrete assurances on Crossrail, High Speed and electrification.

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today demanded concrete assurances from the government that crucial transport infra-structure projects will not fall victim to the cuts programme amid warnings today that key pledges, like High Speed Rail, could be kicked into the long grass.

In the ConDem coalitions programme document they talk about a commitment to a national high speed rail network but with the heavy duty caveat of "financial constraints" thrown into the mix as a drag weight on progress of the scheme which already lags behind much of Europe.

The coalition have stated that they support "Crossrail and further electrification of the rail network" but again this is overshadowed by an overriding caveat that "the deficit reduction programme [public service cuts] takes precedence over any…other measures in this agreement."

RMT have slammed plans to extend the on-going disaster of rail privatisation by offering private companies longer contracts, describing it as "…a reward for failure and for ripping off the taxpayer to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds for an inferior service."

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"We've had enough of warm words from politicians about High Speed Rail. This essential low-carbon transport project has had more relaunches than the Space Shuttle and yet we are still left in the slow lane compared to most of the rest of Europe where it's a genuine priority. We are demanding a fixed timetable for works to be completed for the national network and concrete assurances that it won't be seen as an easy sacrifice by the Treasury cuts machine.

"On Crossrail and electrification there is still not enough clarity and all the promises are loaded up with caveats that create a continuing air of uncertainty. The government need to be clear that these projects will happen in their totality – no ifs, no buts and no cutting back on the scale of the plans. They also need to make sure they've got the workforce to make them happen and that means an end to the jobs cull at Network Rail and its contractors."

Operate LOROL in the Public Sector

Dear Colleague,

URGENT PROTEST: Operate LOROL in the Public Sector

Monday 24^th May, Whitechapel Station, London

07.30 - 08.30 

On Sunday 23rd May the extended East London Line will formally re-open, as part of private company, LOROL (London Overground). The RMT has tirelessly campaigned for the upgrade of this line, but we are extremely concerned that LOROL's first priority is to shareholders and not to passengers or communities, repeating the mistake of the national rail network. £1bn has been spent on this upgrade and every single penny of taxpayer subsidy and fare revenue should be invested to improve services and not be removed from the industry in shareholder dividends.

We have called a protest on the first full working day for the Line next Monday (24^th May) outside Whitechapel Station between 07.30 and 08.30 to demand that LOROL services be transferred to London Underground, which is publicly-owned and publicly-accountable. An Early Day Motion will be tabled on that day by the RMT's Parliamentary Group of MPs.

Please make every effort to attend and help distribute leaflets to the passengers.

Please do get involved 

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

RMT confirms ballot for action on East Coast Mainline

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it will begin balloting guards on the East Coast Mainline for strike action, and action short of a strike, from Tuesday 25th May following the failure of the company to come up with an acceptable package to compensate guards for the loss of commission income arising from the introduction of automated ticket barriers.

The automation means that the commission from the collection of on-board fares has dropped right off leaving guards seriously out of pocket and driving down their income levels .

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"Our members have made it clear that the loss of earnings arising from automation on East Coast is totally unacceptable and that they are not prepared to see the position of the guard undermined to the point where these key staff are reduced to become amongst the lowest paid guards in the country.

"The management on the East Coast Mainline needs to show very clearly that they appreciate the role and responsibility of their guards with an offer that fully recognises the loss of income incurred through the installation of ticket barriers.

"RMT continues to remain available for further talks aimed at resolving this dispute on this high-profile and nationally important rail line."

RMT calls on trade unions and socialists to unite behind John McDonnell’s bid.

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today issued a call for trade unionists and socialists to unite behind John McDonnell's bid to secure enough nominations to stand in the Labour Party leadership contest and to use his campaign as an opportunity to begin the fightback against the ConDem government's all-out assault on public services and living standards.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today:

"John McDonnell leads the RMT group in parliament and no MP has done more to fight against attacks on jobs, public services and workers rights. John is a tireless worker on behalf of trade unionists and the communities that will be there in the front line of the ConDem attack and he is the perfect alternative to the assorted candidates from Continuity New Labour.

"John McDonnell has a reservoir of support that extends way beyond the ranks of the Labour Party membership, it would be an absolute travesty if he was kept out of the race for the leadership and would send out a signal that the Labour Party machine has learnt absolutely nothing.

"On the big issues; defending public services, opposing privatisation, repealing the anti-trade union laws, bringing our troops home and supporting workers rights, John stands shoulder to shoulder with RMT and the trade union and socialist movement. He deserves our full support."

AmeyColas payrise offer.

RMT CIRCULAR REF AMEY AND COLAS PAY

20TH May 2010

 TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS AND REGIONAL OFFICES

Dear Colleagues,

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2010 – Colas Rail

I have been instructed by the GGC to hold a referendum of members on the following pay offer of a 1% increase in basic wages as of 1st April 2010 for all members that are part of the union bargaining agreement. A £100 gross on-off payment to all members that are part of the union bargaining agreement on completion of the proposed review of employment terms and conditions. The company has stated that they will be implementing these revised terms and conditions on 1st October 2010.  Balfour Beatty members that were TUPEd to Colas in May 2009 have a pay review date of 1st January. These members have already had their review in 2010 and the intention is to move their anniversary date to 1st April 2011 

The GGC have recommended that members reject the offer as it does not meet our aspirations. If you have any Colas Rail members in your branch and they have not received a voting paper by 28

th May 2010, please ask them to contact the helpline on

0800 376 3706 or
info@rmt.org.uk.

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2010 – Amey Rail

I have been instructed by the GGC to hold a referendum of members on the following pay offer:-
a 1% increase in basic wages, no increase to allowances for all members that are part of the union bargaining agreement.∙Members on a Personal Contract will get between 0% and 1%. 

The GGC have recommended that members reject the offer as it does not meet our aspirations. If you have any Amey Rail members in your branch and they have not received a voting paper by 28

th May 2010, please ask them to contact the helpline on

0800 376 3706 or
info@rmt.org.uk.

RMT blasts Mayor's Transport Strategy as a smokescreen for job cuts.

TUBE UNION RMT today blasted London Tory Mayor Boris Johnson for throwing up a smokescreen under the guise of a ?Transport Strategy?, designed to deflect attention away from his multi-billion transport cuts package that threatens thousands of jobs, ticket office closures across the Capital and a systematic undermining of current safety standards.

Boris Johnson unveiled his "Transport Strategy" today and has chosen to airbrush out the attack on staffing levels, ticket offices and safety standards that is already being rolled out by his officials.

RMT today repeated its pledge to fight the tube and TfL cuts, including the threat to jobs following the final collapse of the PPP shambles with the buying out of the Tube Lines contract. The union also raised fears that the incoming government, whichever format it takes, will seek further cuts in transport budgets as it swings the axe at public expenditure.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said;

"Boris Johnson has made no effort to discuss his "Transport Strategy" with the people who really matter – the thousands of workers out there delivering transport services in London day in and day out.

"Instead, all we get from his officials are plans to cut jobs, ticket offices and safety standards that are already leaving stations all over London unstaffed and unsafe in direct contradiction of promises that Boris Johnson made in the run up to the Mayoral election.

"We have made it clear again today that unless we get assurances that staff will not be expected to pay the price for the collapse of Tube Lines and the last knockings of the failed tube privatisation experiment we will push on with plans for action and our ballot of members will go ahead."

TUBE UNION RMT CALLS FOR CLARIFICATION FROM BORIS JOHNSON

Tube union RMT today called for an urgent statement from London Mayor Boris Johnson on reports in the Times this morning that he is on the verge of taking the Tube Lines operation back into public ownership - killing off once and for all the PPP disaster on London Underground.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today:

"If the reports are true that Tube Lines is at last being taken back under public control it would be a welcome development and would kill off the privatisation disaster on the tube once and for all.

"Rather than finding out about such an important development through leaks to the press, staff and passengers are entitled to hear it direct from Boris Johnson himself.

"This will be a recognition on a massive scale that transport privatisation does not work and RMT's campaign to roll out the renationalisation of the rail network will continue regardless of who forms the next government."

Amended Jarvis-Suspension of trading and appointment of administrators 06.05.10

Dear Colleague,

JARVIS – SUSPENSION OF TRADING AND APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATORS

The General Grades Committee met on 29^th April 2010 and took the following decision in light of the recent meeting held between the RMT, TSSA and Babcock Rail.

"That having read the report and the proposed 'agreement' between Babcock Rail and the RMT and TSSA trades unions regarding the appointment of former Jarvis employees, we instruct the General Secretary to proceed with this agreement in an attempt to protect our affected members.

This agreement is not ideal, however for the affected members it is much more positive situation than the one that currently exists.

The General Secretary is further instructed to attempt to identify where all Jarvis work has been allocated and seek with those employers that they should honour TUPE in respect of the Jarvis staff who should be working on these contracts. 

Further the General Secretary is instructed to convene at the earliest opportunity meeting with all our renewals representatives to discuss a strategy for the future.

We reiterate this union's position that there should be a framework agreement governing the use and regulation of agency and contract labour across the railway industry.

We continue to pursue our legitimate claim for employment and rights for all our members formerly employed by Jarvis and we reiterate our continued support for the Justice for Jarvis Workers campaign."

Your union believes that this agreement (available to view at below) marks a significant point in the midst of such a distressing situation for so many and we will continue to put pressure on the other relevant companies to sign up to similar agreements.

I would be grateful if you could distribute the contents of this Circular to your members.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Cuts leave tube stations unstaffed on 439 occasions in the past 6 months.

ON THE eve of the election, transport union RMT warned Londoners that cuts are already leaving tube stations unstaffed on a regular basis creating dangerous travelling conditions and with far worse to come if Tory Mayor Boris Johnson bulldozes through his plans to axe a further 800 station posts.

The latest figures obtained by RMT show that from October 2009 through to March 2010 surface level stations on the District, Central, Metropolitan, Circle & Hammersmith and Northern Lines were left unstaffed for entire shifts on a total of 439 occasions. One station, Mill Hill East, was left unstaffed for 95 entire shifts.

Current cuts plans being implemented by London Underground would see up to 800 ticket office, station and platform staff jobs axed creating a wave of ticket office closures and ushering in a culture of unstaffed tube stations, particularly late at night.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

As Londoners prepare to vote they need to be aware that a Tory Mayor, who promised no cuts to station staff and no ticket office closures, is smuggling through reductions in staffing numbers that will have lethal consequences for the travelling public. The muggers paradise of unstaffed stations is already a reality across whole swathes of the tube system as these new figures demonstrate.

They already have proposals on the table that will force tube drivers to pull away from stations without working mirrors or cameras and without the assistance of platform staff. It is only a matter of time before a passenger is dragged under a tube train as a consequence of these reckless cuts.

Tory Mayor Boris Johnson has ripped up his promise to Londoners on tube staffing and voters need to take note of that on Thursday. RMT remains committed to fighting the jobs carnage on the tube and we will continue to fight for safe staffing levels on behalf of both our members and the travelling public.

RMT condemns “death trap” proposals for tube train operation

TUBE UNION RMT today slammed proposed changes to London Underground train operations that the union has warned would turn station platforms into "death traps."

Proposals submitted to RMT safety reps at the Trains Health and Safety Council (THSC), and titled the Operation Effectiveness Programme (OEP), would involve:

• Using the planned cuts to station and platform staff as an excuse for trying to bulldoze through unsafe working practices on drivers.

• Forcing drivers to use trains with defective mirrors and monitors without the assistance of platform staff to ensure that platforms are clear of passengers with the risk that passengers could get dragged under trains.

• Forcing drivers to "detrain" (evacuate) stalled trains without station staff assistance and without the support of station staff carrying emergency lighting and loudhailers. Drivers would be forced to evacuate up to 1000 people, including passengers in wheelchairs and children in buggies, without assistance.

• Forcing drivers to "notch-back" (reverse) in the event of a platform overrun without the current requirement to change ends.

RMT today blamed London Underground and the Tory Mayor Boris Johnson for trying to ram through unsafe working practices as the real consequences for public safety of axing hundreds of station and platform staff to save money become clear.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"Boris Johnson is the Tory politician with the most power in this country today and if you want to know what a Cameron government would be all about you only have to look at the attack on passenger safety that is being unleashed on the tube as part of the Mayors multi-billion pound cuts plans.

"We warned that the cuts to station staff would have lethal consequences right across the London Underground and these plans to try and force drivers to accept unsafe working practices ram that point home loud and clear. RMT will fight these proposals all the way."

RMT backs Justice 4 Jarvis Workers lobby of Network Rail over jobs axe scandal

RAIL UNION RMT is backing a lobby by the Justice 4 Jarvis Workers campaign of Network Rail chief Iain Coucher this Wednesday ( 28th April) as the union continues the fight to save 1200 workers from being dumped on the dole following the collapse of the company last month.

 Justice 4 Jarvis workers from across the UK will be taking their case to the doorstep of Network Rail, and it's Chief Executive Iain Coucher, at 1pm on Wednesday 28^th April at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG.

 RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

 "1200 Jarvis workers, skilled staff who we need out there on the tracks to keep our railways running, have been totally betrayed by Network Rail who admit that these jobs still need doing but have not lifted a finger to keep these men and women in work.

 "In yet another twist of the knife, Network Rail, and the contractor Babcock Rail who are picking up some of the Jarvis work, have said that in their view the Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) regulations, that protect pay and conditions and length of service, will not apply to any workers they might re-engage. That is a scandal.

 "While the election focuses on personalities and talk of deals to keep politicians in high paid positions after May 6^th, the jobs carnage on Britain's railways continues and is wrecking the lives of key staff that we need to keep the network safe.

 "We are backing the Justice 4 Jarvis Workers campaign and the lobby on Wednesday and are challenging the politicians in the areas hit by these 1200 jobs cuts to cut the spin and the rhetoric and to join the fight to save these workers and their livelihoods."

RMT condemns Network Rail ‘gloating’ over dangerous jobs cull

BRITAIN'S BIGGEST rail union today condemned Network Rail's 'gloating' over its cull of front-line maintenance jobs and demanded a reversal of cuts that would make another rail disaster inevitable.

AS NR boasted that 500 front-line staff would leave by the end of May, RMT charged that its slash-and-burn attack on jobs and conditions had nothing to do with overstaffing, new technology or outdated working practices, but was a dangerous money-saving gamble.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said:

"NR is trying to con the public into believing that a cost-led jobs cull is safe when we already know that inspections and maintenance frequencies are overstretched and that most safety recommendations made after the Grayrigg crash have not been implemented in full or in part.

"NR knows as well as our skilled members that signalling systems need more maintenance, not less, that there is no widespread introduction of new technology, and that the conditions it wants to rip up have been negotiated in recent years.

"The fact is that NR is under pressure to slash 21 per cent from its budget, wants to axe 1,500 front-line posts, lump maintenance functions onto over-worked signallers, and impose changes that will undermine rail safety and make another disaster inevitable.

"The only part of NR that needs a jobs cull is the boardroom, whose latest wheeze will result in an increase in the ratio of over-paid executives on telephone-number pay and bonuses to front-line skilled staff, at the direct expense of rail safety.

"We have tried to talk Network Rail bosses into some sense, but they went running instead to the high court to overturn a democratic vote for strike action and have played a disgraceful role in refusing to use their powers to save the jobs of another 1,200 Jarvis workers.

"The company's plans are simply dangerous and RMT will continue to resist them, including re-balloting for strike action."

RMT calls on STUC to condemn SNP ‘union-bashing’ over Scotrail

THE SNP government at Holyrood is set today to be accused by the Scottish TUC of "union bashing as shocking as the dark days of Thatcher" – on the very day that its leader addresses delegates in Dundee.

An emergency motion from RMT, Scotland's biggest rail union, to be debated later today, congratulates Scotrail staff who have taken six days of strike action and pledges the STUC to support the campaign against the extension of driver-only operation.

The motion (full text below) condemns the use of public money by the SNP government not only to bankroll losses by Scotrail during a dispute provoked by the company, but also to finance a strike-breaking army of scabs.

It also commits the STUC to back the campaign to see workers who were dumped with the collapse of rail contractor Jarvis to be transferred to new contractors on their existing terms and conditions.

"It is a scandal that the SNP government has abused public funds to bankroll a dispute aimed at undermining rail safety," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said in Dundee today.

"Our members have made clear where they stand, and that imposition of driver-only operation on the Airdrie-Bathgate line would be the thin end of the wedge that would see safety-trained guards removed wholseale.

"I am confident that Scottish trade unionists will put themselves squarely behind RMT's determination to defend rail safety," Bob Crow said.

RMT emergency motion to STUC on Railway Safety

Congress congratulates RMT conductors , drivers and sleeper-train managers who have taken six days strike action against plans to extend Driver Only Operation on Scottish Passenger Services. Congress pledges its full support for this dispute and states its opposition to extension of Driver Only Operation.

Congress also congratulates Elaine Smith MSP for forcing the Scottish Government to publish, on 17^th March 2010, correspondence with First Scotrail which revealed the Scottish Government and Scotrail are negotiating how much tax payer's money should be used to cover loss revenues for the dispute and pay for scab labour. Congress believes this represents a plan and coordinated level of union-bashing from the SNP government as shocking as the dark days of Thatcher.

Congress notes that the safety of the railway is also being undermined by Network Rail overseeing the sacking of hundreds of maintenance and renewals workers. The cuts are increasing the use of poorly supervised agency staff being forced to travel long distances and work long hours to find work and earn a wage. There are insecurities and low morale which in turn will have an adverse impact on how safety critical work is carried out.

Congress also notes that on 31 March 1200 Jarvis rail workers were sacked after the company went into administration and Network Rail and the UK government failed to back a rescue plan.

Congress further notes that at a meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport on 15^th April, RMT and TSSA were informed that former Jarvis work will be re- allocated in a "matter of days". Congress agrees to support the campaign to ensure all former Jarvis employees are transferred under TUPE to the new contractor.

Finally Congress welcomes the STUC's and numerous MSP's support for the recent lobby for rail safety and pledges to continue to support this campaign.

Dumped Jarvis workers to demonstrate in York tomorrow (Wednesday)

RMT rails against 'stitch-up' of skilled engineering workers

JARVIS WORKERS dumped out of work following the collapse of the company will demonstrate in York tomorrow (Wednesday April 14) demanding justice for 1,200 rail engineering workers needlessly made 'redundant' despite the need for essential work.

RMT has pledged full support for the Justice 4 Jarvis Workers campaign and has expressed anger that Network Rail and the government have failed to take the simple steps needed to save the jobs – and which would have saved millions in redundancy and benefits payments.

The demonstration will gather at the Crescent Club, The Crescent, York, at 11:00 before marching to Jarvis's offices at Meridian House, now occupied by administrators Deloitte, and then to NR's offices at George Stephenson House on Toft Green.

The protest will then move back to the Crescent Club for a rally with RMT assistant general secretary Mick Cash and Transport Salaried Staffs Association leader Gerry Doherty.

"It is absolute nonsense to suggest that 1,200 skilled Jarvis workers suddenly became redundant when the company collapsed, and Network Rail could easily have stepped in to secure their jobs," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"Jarvis had several lucrative contracts in the pipeline. That work still needs to be done, and it should be done by Jarvis workers on the same terms and conditions under transfer of undertakings rules, which our lawyers have told us should apply.

"We know that since the collapse Jarvis work been done instead by a labour-only agency not only paying rock-bottom rates, but also expecting people to work dangerously long hours on top of several hours' travelling time.

"We have people who have had no money for seven weeks – people who should be out there keeping our railways safe rather than queuing for benefits.

"That is a disgrace and it stinks to high heaven of a stitch-up, the more so when we know that it will cost the taxpayer dearly to make our members redundant rather than save their jobs," Bob Crow said.

RMT gives full support to “Justice 4 Jarvis Workers” campaign

RAIL UNION RMT today pledged full support for the "Justice 4 Jarvis Workers" campaign and gave an assurance that the union will continue to do all that it can to assist the 1200 workers dumped out of work through the collapse of the company.

Jarvis workers and their families will be holding a protest in Doncaster this Friday – 9^th April – marching from the Jarvis depots in Bentley Road and Marchfield and then assembling outside the Mansion House on Doncaster High Street at 11am. RMT will be holding a meeting of the workers at 12 noon in Doncaster Trades and Labour Club.

RMT President Alex Gordon will be speaking at the protest which has the full support of both RMT and TSSA.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"The callous and cynical way that the Jarvis workforce have been treated is a national disgrace. There is essential work for these staff to do and we are demanding that their jobs be transferred over to other contractors who are now bidding for the former Jarvis contracts. We have legal advice that the Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) regulations should apply.

"It is a stain on the reputation of Gordon Brown and his party that Labour did nothing to save the Jarvis workers jobs - a move which would have cost them a tiny fraction of the many billions that was thrown at the bankers to save their skins. That failure to act will cost Labour dear at the ballot box in the towns and cities hit by the Jarvis collapse.

"RMT fully supports the "Justice 4 Jarvis Workers" campaign. These skilled men and women should be out there replacing worn sections of railway track, not queuing up at the benefit office. These 1200 job losses are wholly bound up with the £5 billion Network Rail cuts programme which is ripping apart both the rail industry and the livelihoods of the people we rely on to deliver safe rail travel."

RMT to lobby Scottish Parliament

RAIL UNION RMT announced today that they will be holding a demonstration and lobby of the Scottish Parliament at 11.15am on Thursday April 15th followed by a rally in Committee Room 3 of the Parliament buildings. The protest comes towards the end of the latest phase of RMT strike action in defence of the role of the guard on Scotrail.

More than 550 RMT guards, drivers and sleeper-train managers at First Scotrail will take further strike action spread over a period of four days from Monday 12^th April as the union steps up its action against plans to impose driver-only operation on the new Airdrie-Bathgate line.

RMT guards and drivers will not book on for shifts between 00.01 hours on Monday 12^th April and 23.59 hours on Wednesday 14^th April and sleeper train managers will not book on for shifts between 18.00 hrs on Tuesday 13^th April and 17.59 hours on Thursday 15^th April.

The stepping up of the action comes after a total failure by Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to intervene and instruct his contractors, First Scotrail, to comply with existing agreements on driver-only operation.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today;

"Our member's courage and determination to defend rail safety and the role of the guard on First Scotrail is second to none and if the company, and Transport Scotland, thought that this issue would quietly fade away then they didn't reckon with the grit of RMT members.

"Months into this campaign, First Scotrail and the Scottish Government still refuse to face up to their responsibilities to the travelling public and their staff and are prepared to slash corners on rail safety in the dash for cuts and the drive for profits. That is why we are taking the protest to the doorstep of the Scottish Parliament.

"I repeat my call for a face to face meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond to resolve this issue and to get the company to comply with their obligations in respect of the guards. If First Scotrail and the Transport Minister are not able to bring this dispute to a conclusion then it falls to the First Minister to intervene. We will make sure that safety on Scotrail services is a major public issue throughout the election campaign."

RMT Amey pay update march 2010

  

AMEY PAY NEGOTIATIONS 2010

We have now had three meetings with the Company to consider the RMT pay claim for 2010.

Key elements of RMT claim:

Ø      Substantial rise in Basic Pay, including allowances. Special attention to the lowest paid.

Ø      All members to have access to a 'Final Salary Pension Scheme'

Ø      Progress on Family Friendly agreements, Travel Facilities, Shorter working week,  London and south East allowances.

First Meeting, February 18:

RMT Presented our Claim. The company informed us of the work situation across AMEY and that they were only in a position to offer 0% on pay but they asked us that we come back with suggested ways of saving money for the company.

Second meeting, March 25:

RMT responded that 0% would not be acceptable to our members and that the RMT claim was for a cost of living increase "without strings". However once we have reached a satisfactory outcome to pay discussions we would then be prepared to enter into meaningful 'Restructuring negotiations' with AMEY with the intention of achieving a mutually acceptable package which we could put to our members.

After much discussion we persuaded the company to make a no strings offer.  This offer was 0.5% on basic rates of pay but not allowances. AMEY have said they have "no money" to pay any more and that this is their final offer on Pay. They offered a further meeting on Wednesday 31 March to respond on other aspects of the claim.

RMT Reps made absolutely clear to the company thier view that this offer was very poor considering that AMEY had a 'record year in 2009' with their financial results, that the staff had been hard working, flexible and committed and this is why AMEY has been very successful (In fact Award winning !) in winning Rail contracts. A very significant point of principle to the reps was that senior managers have reportedly received attractive performance bonuses but were now declining staff a decent cost of living increase.

Third and final meeting: March 31st.

We met with the company as they said they wanted to respond on the other parts of our claim. At this meeting they told us that "after discussions across the business they were now in a position to put a revised offer of 1% on basic salaries (not allowances) as a final no strings offer". Your RMT negotiation team still do not feel this is a good offer. We will now report the position to the RMT Executive and we will let you know our position as soon as possible.

RMT Commitment:                               

RMT is absolutely dedicated to achieving a fair result for all of our AMEY members this year.

RMT is willing to be involved in Restructuring Negotiations once we have achieved a fair outcome with pay. We acknowledge that the company have aspirations as do our members. Any outcome of restructuring negotiations would go to the RMT Executive and our members will always have the final say in a referendum ballot before any changes.

Only members of the Union will be consulted on pay and any restructuring.