TUBE DRIVERS BALLOTED

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2011 :: RMTnews 4 R MT is balloting all train drivers on London Underground over the victimisation of reps and the sacking of drivers Eamon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas. The union called on the company to reinstate the pair immediately and stop the “concerted disciplinary clampdown” against drivers across the network. RMT demanded an end to the campaign of bullying and harassment after winning two Employment Tribunal “interim relief” hearings. Interim relief is only ever granted by the Employment Tribunal where there is the clearest evidence that an employee has been dismissed on the grounds of trade union activities. An Employment Tribunal found in favour of sacked Northern Line train operator Arwyn and he will be paid by the company as he awaits a full ET hearing in May. RMT Bakerloo Line drivers’ health and safety rep Eamon Lynch also remains on full pay after winning another interim relief case. However the company has shown total contempt for the tribunal process and refused to reinstate the men. Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, said that he was appalled that London Underground was refusing to reinstate the men when the tribunal has already ruled that their dismissal was because of their trade union activities. “It is vital that we stand up for our local trade union reps who are in the frontline of protecting workers interests,” he said. John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, said that the London mayor and LU management were presiding over deteriorating industrial relations and a climate of fear which will inevitably impact on the service. “It is essential that workers are free to act as trade union representatives without fear,” he said. The union received a threat from the employers to dash to the courts under the cloak of the anti-trade union laws but RMT’s recent court victory over the right to strike may deter the company from going down that road. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the fact that both members have won interim hearings at the Employment Tribunal showed that they were victimised. "As a result LU has had to put them both back on wages and the time has come to get them back to work driving Tube trains. “This trade union remains rock-solid in our support of our victimised members and that message should be received loud and clear,” he said. T he decision to switch maintenance of trains on the Jubilee Line from Alstom back in-house was the "final nail" in Tube privatisation, RMT has said. Transport for London said the fleet maintenance work will move in-house from May to have full control over management and costs. It is being implemented via a clause in Alstom's contract with Tube Lines, whose work is being taken over by LU. A TfL spokesman said that 115 staff currently employed by Alstom, which has maintained the fleet since 1997, will be transferred to Tube Lines, which is wholly owned by TfL. "This will help London Underground to provide a full, reliable service to Jubilee Line passengers during an important period in the line upgrade when more trains are needed for the new timetable, and the entire fleet is due a maintenance overhaul. “Alstom and Tube Lines will work closely to keep all staff fully informed during the transitional period," he said. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the shambles at London Underground deepened by the day and mayor Boris Johnson had presided over chaotic management, and now he had the embarrassment of admitting through this private contract collapse that the union was right and he was wrong. "Passengers have had people put up with months of chaos with some forced off trains and sent up tunnels as this contract has been allowed by Johnson and his officials to drag on. “The collapse of this contract should be the final nail in the coffin of Tube privatisation," he said. TUBE DRIVERS BALLOTED FOR STRIKE ACTION OVER VICTIMISATION TUBE PRIVATISATION KILLED OFF