TUBE FIGHT ON

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2022 :: RMTnews 6 RMT has confirmed that members will be taking strike action next month over London Underground’s continuing refusal to give assurances on jobs, pensions and working conditions in the midst of an on-going financial crisis driven by central government. The announcement was made in the wake of a recent ballot of over ten thousand members across all grades of LU staff with 94 per cent of members voted to strike.  RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that members would be taking strike action next month because a financial crisis at LUL has been deliberately engineered by the government to drive a cuts’ agenda which would savage jobs, services, safety and threaten their working conditions and pensions. “These are the very same transport staff praised as heroes for carrying London through COVID for nearly two years, often at serious personal risk, who now have no option but to strike to defend their livelihoods. “The politicians need to wake up to the fact that transport staff will not pay the price for this cynically engineered crisis. In addition to the strike action RMT is coordinating a campaign of resistance with colleagues from other unions impacted by this threat. “The union remains available for talks aimed at resolving the dispute,” he said. NIGHT TUBE RMT is also calling for LU to end their deafening silence over negotiations as latest phase of Night Tube strike action goes ahead. Mick Lynch called on tube bosses to take up the opportunity of resuming negotiations with the aim of resolving the Night Tube dispute. “The action continues despite the fact that we believe there are simple and cost free options that would enable us to consider suspending the action. We cannot make any progress if LU continue to give us the cold shoulder. "With London heading back towards some normality at last the settlement of this dispute should be a priority for the Mayor and his officials and that means showing a willingness to recommence the talks process. "The issue at the heart of the dispute, protecting the work/life balance of drivers cannot be swept under the carpet and needs to be addressed rather than dismissed. RMT stands ready to get talks back on,” he said. RMT has also written to London Mayor Sadiq Khan seeking urgent clarification of comments made by Deputy Mayor Seb Dance in which he clearly stated that “It is not the case that drivers will have to work a night shift” and that “where a [Night Tube] driver wants to swap a night shift for a day shift that will be possible”. In his letter the union noted that it appeared to mark a shift from London Underground and TfL’s previous statements: “I would like you to confirm that this is the position and as your Deputy has said “it is not the case that drivers will have to work a night shift. ”Previously, TfL has briefed the press that drivers will be able to swap shifts if possible but have not gone so far as to claim that that drivers will not have to work a night shift. “Mr Dance’s answer clearly states that drivers will not have to work night shifts and therefore it follows that night shifts should not be compulsory and drivers will have the ultimate right not to work them. As you know, this is the core principle underpinning RMT’s position. “If you or London Underground can confirm the above that would be a significant step in the right direction and would I believe serve as the basis for positive discussions,” the letter said.   TUBE FIGHT ON RMT announces strike action as LU refuses to give assurances on jobs, pensions and working conditions