WATERLOO BACKS CARLISLE CLEANERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2012 :: RMTnews 4 C arlisle Cleaning Services staff working on Docklands Light Railway have won recognition for their union, RMT. The company offered voluntary recognition after the union recruited around 50 workers, around 90 per cent of the workforce. DLR branch secretary Darren Arnold, DLR reps and regional organiser Steve Hedley visited depots at Beckton and Poplar at night to explain the importance of union membership and the union’s aspiration of gaining the London living wage of £8.30 for all cleaning staff. Following recognition the union is launching a campaign for better pay, an Olympic bonus and travel facilities. Steve Hedley congratulated DLR branch members for their determination in recruiting cleaners to the union. “This is the true spirit of industrial trade unionism uniting all grades under the RMT banner,” he said. R MT members at Tube Lines are being balloted for industrial action to back the union’s demand for equal pension and travel-pass rights. The union is demanding that all Tube Lines staff, including ex-Alstom staff at Stratford Market depot, be allowed to join the TfL Pension Scheme and receive the same travel concessions as those who work for LUL, including former Metronet staff. Parity would bring Tube Lines staff free travel within London and 75 per cent of the cost of travel on the mainline railway – the concession that all Tube staff, including ex- Metronet people, already get. The RMT executive endorsed the ballot following a unanimous call for action by workplace reps when they met following several months of stonewalling by Tube Lines bosses. “This is a straightforward demand for parity with other Tube staff,” said RMT general secretary Bob Crow. “We have gone through all the negotiating channels on both these issues but Tube Lines has refused to budge. “Former Metronet employees have been allowed back into the TfL Pension Fund and now also have the same travel facilities as other LUL employees. “Tube Lines is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London and there is simply no excuse for refusing to give equal pension and pass rights. “The union remains ready to talk, and a strong mandate for industrial action will show Tube Lines and TfL the depth of anger there is over this blatant lack of fairness,” said Bob. W aterloo branch recently arranged a special meeting for Carlisle Cleaners members as the existing cleaning contract is due to be taken over by Churchill cleaning company. This would affect members in South West Trains locations including Clapham Yard, Exeter, Farnham, Woking, Staines, Guildford and Strawberry Hill. RMT general secretary Bob Crow and assistant general secretary Pat Sikorski addressed members on how the union would protect members affected. Bob advised that they would be protected by TUPE agreements and that the union would do everything to protect members during the transfer. Pat Sikorski said that a mapping exercise would be co-ordinated between the branch and the organising unit. Waterloo branch secretary Rickey Goodman said that the successful meeting had been well attended and further meetings and visits would be arranged to update members on further developments. WATERLOO BACKS CARLISLE CLEANERS TUBE LINES BALLOT DLR CLEANERS WIN RECOGNITION