BALLOT AT SCOTRAIL AFTER MEMBERS ATTACKED THEN SACKED

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2012 :: RMTnews 4 R MT is balloting for strike action and action short of a strike on Scotrail after two ticket examiners were sacked for defending themselves from attack by a gang who have waged a two-year campaign of abuse and violence against them. Not only were RMT members, Darren Brander and Karin McLean, verbally and physically assaulted at work but their assailants continued to harass them when they were off duty and even followed them home. In June 2010, matters came to ahead when the gang assaulted and spat on Karin McLean. They also shouted “paedophile” and “child molester” at Darren and threw a bottle at him in front of their two small children. In the face of extreme aggression and provocation Darren and Karin fought back to defend not only themselves but their children. The British Transport Police brought no charges over the incident but Scotrail decided to dismiss the two members based on the incident. RMT is demanding their immediate reinstatement and the union is balloting all RMT Ticket Examiners based at Airdrie, Bathgate, Dalmuir, Glasgow Central (Argyle Line), Helensburgh Central, Motherwell and Partick in defence of members who have done a long and sustained campaign of intimidation and violence. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the dispute was over the most blatant travesty of justice where two members ended up sacked for simply defending themselves from a gang of thugs who had waged a campaign of violence and intimidation against them both at work and right up to their own front door. “We are determined to secure justice for Karin and Darren. “Scotrail has been totally unsympathetic and uncaring during the whole process and their only objective has been to get our members out of the door even though they have been the victims of this crime,” he said. R MT members at Heathrow Express are taking 24-hour action later this month against the unfair dismissal of a driver member and over a campaign of harassment and victimisation against an RMT representative and further action is planned in March. Around 80 per cent have voted to strike in a ballot of drivers over the sacking of driver member Zahid Majid and over 80 per cent for strike action in a ballot of all Heathrow Express staff over the continued victimisation of RMT rep Liaqat Ali. Zahid Majid has been dismissed from employment by HEX after a minor error, which he took full responsibility for, and which has led to the company taking unfair and disproportionate action in sacking him from his job. Although Heathrow Express has now returned Liaqat from suspension, and all allegations have been found to be completely unfounded, the company has now taken the deliberately provocative step of pursuing possible disciplinary charges against Liaqat on issues of conduct and confidentiality whilst he was suspended. This is a blatant attack by Heathrow Express on Liaqat for his trade union activities and an attack on RMT as a union and its ability to represent and support members within Heathrow Express. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the unfair and disproportionate actions taken by management in both cases was a total miscarriage of justice and that is reflected in these overwhelming ballot results for action. “Management’s behaviour clearly demonstrates their willingness to victimise staff at the slightest provocation and no doubt they see this as payback for the successful building of a strong and militant union organisation within the company. “In both ballots members have sent out the clearest possible message to the company and the union remains available for talks in the hope that management will now see sense and take the necessary steps to resolve this dispute,” he said. BALLOT AT SCOTRAIL AFTER MEMBERS ATTACKED THEN SACKED HEATHROW EXPRESS STRIKE AGAINST VICTIMISATION