TUBE VICTORY

RMT suspended a further round of 48-hour strike action earlier this month after London Underground dramatically agreed not to implement ticket offices closures as planned. Following talks at ACAS, LUL agreed not to implement its Fit for the Future – Stations proposals, as set out in the HR1 and Section 188 Notice. It also agreed to hold meaningful and detailed discussions with the trade unions beginning immediately until week ending April 4 2014. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that after two days of intensive and detailed discussions it was agreed to halt the implementation of the proposed job cuts. “We now have a golden opportunity to look again in detail at all of the concerns we have raised about the impact of the cuts on our members and the services that they provide to Londoners. “That is exactly what we have been calling for throughout this dispute. “RMT is happy to discuss any issues with LU through the machinery of negotiation and we are glad that we have now got back to where we should have been right at the start of this process. “It is unfortunate that we were forced into a dispute that we never wanted and we are now in a position to move on with the clear understanding that our action is suspended but if there is any further attempt to impose change from above the action will go back on,” he said. Under the proposals the Change Assurance Plan and Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) would be part of the discussions, which would take place at Company Council level, agreeing its own terms of reference. During the dispute RMT insisted that women and ethnic minority workers would be disproportionately hit by plans to close ticket offices with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Women would be forced into lone working, while other minority staff would be left vulnerable to abuse. London Underground's own assessments show that their plans to axe nearly 1,000 jobs, re-organise what is left and to close key services like ticket offices were relentlessly discriminatory and would throw into total reverse gains secured to push the tube forwards as an employer where equality of opportunity was taken seriously. The deal between LUL and RMT and TSSA also agreed that during the period of consultation London Underground would put on hold all Voluntary Severance applications received and not request any new applications. LU will also remove ‘all learning material associated with its Fit for the Future - Stations proposals. RMT London regional organiser John Leach said that the first round of 48-hour strike action had been ‘rock solid’ and this has meant the London Underground network has effectively been closed down. “This isn’t a boast but a fact which can leave LUL in no doubt of the determination of RMT members to put a stop to their disastrous plans to cut nearly 1,000 jobs and close ticket offices. “RMT members have spoken with their feet and I thank you for your support for your union throughout this dispute,” he said. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2014 :: RMTnews 7 Tube strike halts closure of London Underground ticket offices TUBE VICTORY