TOP MANAGERS CELEBRATES TUBE JOB CUTS AND TICKET OFFICE CLOSURES

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2016 :: RMTnews 7 R MT has slammed the spectacle of senior Transport for London managers at Mayfair’s luxury RAF Club celebrating the completion of a massive cuts programme that axes 800 safety-critical station staff and trashes 289 tube ticket offices. In a gloating bulletin circulated to staff the management reported that almost 50 people from the Fit for the Future Stations (FftFS) team spent an enjoyable evening in the luxurious setting of the RAF Club in Piccadilly as they celebrated the successful completion of the main ticket office closure programme. Mike Bracken, Head of Fit for the Future delivery team, spoke of the dedication and commitment of the team and congratulated everyone for their achievement. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it was obscene that TFL managers treated themselves to a slap-up beano in the heart of the West End to celebrate the axing of 800 safety-critical jobs and the smashing up of London’s tube ticket offices. The union is demanding to know whether some of all of the cost of this spectacle was funded by the taxpayer. “While TFL is talking about further cuts of over £2 billion that would devastate safety and services it is a massive kick in the teeth for the staff across the combine to receive bulletins from the management gloating about their axe-swinging antics. “RMT members are furious that while they are being stretched to breaking point the top brass are out on a jolly in a luxury, private members club in Mayfair,” he said. T ube Lines maintenance and engineering staff have recorded an overwhelming vote for action over Night Tube, pay and pensions Over 85 per cent voted for strike action with an even larger majority for action short of a strike. The dispute is over the company’s refusal to discuss outstanding pensions issues until after the launch of the Night Tube operation. There are also major unresolved issues over Night Tube staffing arrangements and a threat to undermine PRP agreements through Tube Lines refusing to base budgets on the negotiated levels of performance-related pay. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that RMT members had shown their anger at the way that Tube Lines had attempted to tie in attacks on pensions with the offer on pay and Night Tube. “There are also major unresolved issues over the Tube Lines staffing arrangements for the Night Tube and over performance- related pay. “It is absolutely essential that there is the earliest possible resumption of serious and meaningful talks on these issues and the union is ready to engage in those talks,” he said. TOP MANAGERS CELEBRATE TUBE JOB CUTS AND TICKET OFFICE CLOSURES TUBE LINES MEMBERS BACK ACTION OVER NIGHT TUBE AND PENSIONS