LONDON OVERGROUND SECURITY STAFF STRIKE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2012 :: RMTnews 8 S ecurity and safety staff employed by STM Security Group on London Overground services took both strike action and action short of a strike in early November in a dispute over bullying and an attempt to impose new terms and conditions. STM is contracted to provide safety and security services on London Overground stations which run close to a number of London football stadiums and which are all on high alert on match days. Despite several warnings from RMT, management at STM Security Group has continued to bully and intimidate Travel Safe Officers and union representatives and these threats and intimidation have increased since RMT moved the issue into a formal dispute. Following a unanimous vote for action in a ballot member took 24-hour strike action and did not carry out any overtime or shift changes. The company is also attempting to impose changes to contracts of employment and terms and conditions without any consultation or agreement with RMT. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the bullying and intimidation staff by STM Security was deplorable. “The attempted imposition of new terms and conditions is just another element contributing to the picture of a company that is hell bent on confrontation with its workforce and their union. “RMT is calling on London Overground, which tolerates STM as one of its key contractors, to stop these disgraceful activities and we repeat our demand for these key safety services to be brought in- house rather than sub- contracted out. “Our members have shown their determination to stand up to the bullies and union-busters in their unanimous strike vote and the whole union stands with them,” he said. R MT has launched a ballot for strike action in a battle over pay justice on Orkney Ferries after a referendum ballot overwhelmingly rejected employer Serco’s claim that any pay increase must be self- funded. The balloting timetable will be concluded by early December allowing for action to take place over the December/January period. Orkney Ferries provides an inter-island service on nine routes between Orkney and 13 island destinations. Discussions between the company, RMT and other unions at ACAS concluded with Serco attempting to bulldoze through what would amount to a pay freeze with standards of living hammered down to poverty levels over the next three years. RMT has made it clear that the position remains completely unacceptable and as a result of the breakdown of the ACAS talks Orkney Ferries has been informed that a dispute situation exists due to the failure to table a suitable pay offer. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that it was outrageous that Orkney Ferries’ attitude had left unions with no option but to move to a ballot of staff for strike action/ “By standing strong together we can show the company that they must return to the table and make a decent offer which represents a substantial increase in rates of pay and genuine improvements to terms and conditions. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that the union would not stand back while living standards are driven to poverty levels with a de facto freezing of pay rates well off into the future. “It is down to the company to recognise the anger and resentment that their stance has generated and to agree to get back round the table for meaningful talks aimed at resolving this dispute,” he said. LONDON OVERGROUND SECURITY STAFF STRIKE STRIKE BALLOT OVER PAY AT ORKNEY FERRIES