Tube safety / LUL strike

RMT news – Essential reading for today ’s transport worker A CALL by the House of Commons’ Regulatory Reform Committee to keep fire-safety legislation that lays down minimum staffing levels and other safety standards for underground stations has been welcomed by RMT. RMT and its parliamentary group had slammed plans to relax of fire safety standards on sub-surface stations on London Underground, the Tyne and Wear metro and at stations in Glasgow and Liverpool. As originally drafted, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2004 would have revoked the Fire Precautions (Sub-Surface Railway Stations) Regulations 1989, which introduced minimum standards following the King’s Cross fire in 1987 in which 31 people lost their lives. The regulations lay down minimum staffing levels as well as fire precaution measures at Tube stations. RMT parliamentary group chair Labour MP John McDonnell had warned that removing minimum standards could allow management the freedom to risk- assess fire safety measures. “It is unclear to me and, I am sure, London Underground users and employees how such a measure will improve fire safety and indeed there are bound to be fears that, without minimum standards, corners will be cut and safety compromised,” he said in a letter to the committee. Following this intervention, the committee said it would be recommending “retention of the fire safety legislation for Tube stations introduced following the Kings Cross fire” in its report. RMT London regional organiser Bobby Law said that passengers would be horrified at any relaxation of fire safety standards on the Tube. “We hope that both ministers and the Mayor of London will act to ensure that statutory minimum safety standards and staffing levels are maintained and not left to the whims of LUL management,” he said. Union acts to defend Tube fire safety rules TUBE maintenance company Metronet have made an improved pay offer of 3.2 per cent, with much bigger increases for apprentices and some skilled and technical staff, as well as a 35- hour week by January 2006 and a 75 per cent travel discount for apprentices and trainees. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the improved offer for RMT’S 1,400 members at Metronet was achieved after a tremendous show of solidarity in their 24-hour strike last month. “The offer includes a 3.2 per cent basic increase, although apprentices – the future lifeblood of the industry – will get a 5.7 per cent increase, and some skilled and technical grades will see their pay increase by 7.2 per cent. “Our members will have the final say, and the offer will now be put to them in a referendum, with an executive recommendation to accept,” Bob said. London Underground members also took solid strike action early last month following a strike ballot, which saw majority of well over 80 per cent. Despite the improved offer from Metronet, negotiations are still continuing with LU management over a deal on pay and conditions. RMT has made clear that it is prepared to negotiate a long-term deal that will deliver a flexible and modern workforce in return for a shorter working week. However, Ken Livingstone saw fit to call on RMT members to cross their own picket lines. Bob Crow said he was appalled by such actions and tendered his resignation from the board of Transport for London. “Perhaps Mr Livingstone has not read the small print in the offer so far on the table, but he should be aware that there remain substantial legitimate objections to it. “In all conscience I can no longer sit on the TfL board, and I have let it be known that I am not available for re-appointment to it,” Bob said. “The Mayor should know that the way to settle disputes is not to attempt to break strikes but to negotiate, and that is what he should be getting his management to do. “Mr Livingstone would do well to take a leaf out of Network Rail’s book and get his chief executive involved in talks personally.” he said. Further negotiations are planned. MEMBERS FREEPHONE HELPLINE Open six days a week 8am until 6pm - 0800 376 3706 Metronet improves offer following strike action Victory at Viacom FOLLOWING a massive yes to strike action by RMT members at Viacom Outdoor, the company that puts posters up on London Underground, the employer produced a revised pay offer of up to 4.7 per cent. In a good turn-out, nearly 90 per cent of workers voted for industrial action and two strike days were planned last month. However, strike action was suspended following the new offer that included an annual pay award for 2004 of 4.2 per cent for LTA contracts and 4.7 per cent for VO contracted employees, up from an original offer of 3.5 per cent and 4 per cent respectively. Sick pay allowance for VO contracts was also increased to 20 days. It was agreed to up a Joint Working Party to review overtime and productivity rates of pay, new working practices as well as looking at allowances for responsibilities carried out. The findings are to be agreed and implemented by 2005. The improved offer has gone out to a referendum of Viacom members with a recommen- dation to accept and the result will be known on August 5. London regional organiser Bobby Law said that the new deal represented a considerable breakthrough which narrowed the gap between pay rates and began the process of dealing with outstanding issues. ON THE LINE: from left to right are Olly New, Jared Wood, Gary Harbord, Linda Martin, Gwyn Pugh, Mark O'Donoghue, Paul Shannon, John O'Leary, John McDonnell MP. Pic by Hiroshi Kanba 4