Activists’ corner

Edwards Duthie Solicitors has a special affinity with trade unions, their members and officials. We have advised union members and their families for some 22 years, to the point where we now serve some 40,000 members across 230 branches nationwide. We have a dedicated team which serves RMT members, their families and friends. Unlike our competitors, we offer a full range of legal services, many of which are free or heavily discounted for union members : G PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS G SPECIALIST CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE TEAM G EXPERT ADVICE ON ALL ASPECTS OF EMPLOYMENT LAW G 24 HOUR CRIMINAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION G FREE WILLS SERVICE FOR MEMBERS G 10% DISCOUNT ON RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCING G LAW SOCIETY SPECIALISTS IN FAMILY AND MATRIMONIAL ADVICE G FREE HALF HOUR INTERVIEW IN ALL AREAS OF LAW Our approach is both proactive and hands on. Our lawyers go to see members and officials at the workplace, at home, at union premises or wherever discussion can best be accommodated nationwide. We are here to provide a service and, unlike our competitors, we do not consider that we can do that from a remote standpoint. RING NOW FOR ADVICE & ASSISTANCE ON 0208 514 9000 email: allinfo@edwardsduthie.com In partnership with the 33 An open letter to Tory GLA member Roger Evans after he called for a strike ban on the Tube Dear Mr Evans, I work for Transport for London in the capacity of trainer. I have witnessed the extremely hard, unique and amazing job that all Tube operating staff perform on a daily basis. We perform so many specialised and diverse tasks, at all hours of every day I will not begin to explain them all. The daily abuse we receive from a public entirely unaware of our role only adds to my feeling of solidarity and respect for my colleagues. We bear the brunt of frustration from a travelling public exposed to endless delays, disruption and confusion; unable to rely on a regular, comfortable service for which they pay considerable sums. I do not imagine that their compassion for our difficult task should extend to the moment of their frustration on any given morning’s delay. I also do not expect a member of the London Assembly to use such ill-placed words to describe a jointly welcomed and needed agreement on pay and conditions. It is precisely this type of publicity that fuels such ill feeling toward Tube staff. You are in a position that demands a certain level of responsibility. Have you any idea the impact of a comment like yours, spread across the front page of the Metro newspaper can have on workplace violence incidents on our staff? I am sure you don’t, but I feel your position, as Deputy Chair of the Transport Committee demands that you do. To address your concern regarding the impact that strike action has on Londoners, I can only concur. However, it is an action taken consciously by Tube workers with a great deal of thought. And one that will have an impact on how we put food on the table, pay our bills, rent, mortgage. A decision that every Tube employee wished they did not have to make. I do not wish to comment on the way negotiations actually take place, but I am resolute that the union does not ask workers to make this decision on a whim. In fact, within your role, there is an opportunity to have real impact on how future decisions are made. This decision has been made and can only show a healthy partnership in the future. Tube workers ARE Londoners, very hard working Londoners, more hard working than you care to imagine. For this reason, an agreement has been made to facilitate a 35- hour week by allowing more ‘real time’ away from the work place. This hourly amount has been recommended for Tube workers from various sources for some time now. There has been support for its implemen- tation from both sides and now we see the fruits of that commitment. It’s been a long and hard road, but one with a destination that allows Tube staff to enjoy employment conditions that reflect their role. Before you next pass comment, may I suggest you try to comprehend the hell that it can be to carry out such work. Cc Bob Kiley, Yours sincerely, Linda Wiles Show respect for transport workers Activists’ corner