RMT SECURES TOP PAY DEAL ON LONDON OVERGROUND

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2013 :: RMTnews 4 A fter months of industrial action by Bakerloo line train drivers to protect passenger safety, Tube bosses have agreed that each train being taken out of service has to be checked along its full length by either station staff or a train operator. Since January Bakerloo Tube drivers had been physically checking that trains are empty of passengers before moving into sidings, after LUL stopped station staff checking carriages. LUL’s reckless move had resulted in more than 3,000 ‘overcarries’ into Bakerloo sidings in the last year, including one involving a 12- year-old boy who could have jumped onto live rails but for the action of an alert driver. The drivers’ safety action eliminated the problem but resulted in substantial delays to the service, which LUL had tried to hide including by suppressing routine internal reports that revealed the true level of cancellations and delays. Following meetings with the conciliation service ACAS London Underground agreed that the trains should be checked. However the union still has concerns and is insisting that uniformed and licensed staff check trains. A fter constructive talks with London Overground Rail Operations Ltd (LOROL) and the union an industry-leading 3.85 per cent pay deal has been agreed for staff in 2013 as part of a four year pay award. The following years pay deal includes inflation (RPI) plus 0.5 per cent - protecting and enhancing staff living standards into the future at a time when there is an unprecedented attack on wages and conditions. The deal, covering over 500 RMT members across the company, will reach pay packets next month and recognises the role staff have played in record levels of customer satisfaction. Last month WHICH? Magazine rated London Overground with the highest levels of commuter customer satisfaction and the last national passenger survey rated London Overground at 93 per cent overall satisfaction. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the deal recognised the value placed on transport workers in delivering essential services and sets a benchmark for the rest of the industry. “At a time when we are told that workers have to accept cuts to their living standards we have proven once again that effective union organisation, backing up meaningful negotiations can secure a fair deal that protects and enhances pay and conditions and which benefits everyone involved,” he said. T ube drivers on the Jubilee line suspended industrial action last month after London Underground agreed to address long-running concerns involving safety and hygiene. Management agreed that areas should be regularly patrolled and kept clean and that LU work jointly with the British Transport Police regarding safety and security of the car park area. London region RMT regional organiser John Leach said that a programme of improvement work had been negotiated and depots would be deep-cleaned and arrangements had been put in place to maintain standards. JUBILEE DRIVERS WIN RMT SECURES TOP PAY DEAL ON LONDON OVERGROUND BAKERLOO VICTORY