LUL Drivers to Strike

[transportphoto]

Hi All,

Just heard this on BBC Breakfast.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13274783

Tube strikes: Dates for walkout by drivers revealed

The dispute is over the sacking of two drivers
Union bosses have revealed details of a series of Tube strikes due to start in less than two weeks.

Tube drivers voted in favour of industrial action in a row over the sacking of two colleagues.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the first walkout was planned for 16 May, with another five before the end of June.

Transport for London (TfL) has previously denied the two drivers were unfairly dismissed.

The RMT has instructed drivers who are members of the union not to turn up for shifts on six periods in May and June.

Continue reading the main story

The walkouts are planned for between nine and 24 hours from Monday 16 May to Friday 20 May and again from Monday 13 June to Friday 17 June.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "It is the abject failure of London Underground (LU) to recognise that their policy of victimisation of union activists has been well and truly rumbled... that has left us with no choice but to name these dates for strike action."

He said LU should "accept they have been found out, get these drivers back to work doing the job that they are being paid to do and bring an end to the constant harassment of union activists whose only crime is fighting cuts to jobs and safety."

The RMT said almost two-thirds of its members voted in favour of industrial action over claims Eamon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas were sacked because of their trade union activities.

Both men have taken a case of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal.

TfL has described it as "absolute nonsense" to suggest the two men were dismissed unfairly due to their union activities.

STRIKE DATES

2101BST 16 May - 1159BST 17 May
1200BST 18 May - 1159BST 19 May
1200BST - 2100BST 20 May
2102BST 13 June - 1159BST 14 June
1200BST 15 June - 1159BST 16 June
1200BST - 2100BST 17 June

--

TP

 

[HST Power]

The sacking appears largely to do with the fact that two drivers were 'unfairly' dismissed. Were they sacked due to an incident within the company or for financial reasons?

 

[1V53]

The sacking appears largely to do with the fact that two drivers were 'unfairly' dismissed. Were they sacked due to an incident within the company or for financial reasons?

I'd hazard a guess it was due to an incident. As a rep you have to be quite careful, eg not to incite strike action, so although the union is saying they are being victimised for their TU activities, sometimes you do have to be careful how you conduct yourself.

 

[Mojo]

I'd hazard a guess it was due to an incident.

This is correct. There were two different incidents, one involved a Train Operator disabling safety equipment and another who allegedly swore at a manager and called a station supervisor a "scab" (the use of this word was admitted by him).

They haven't gone to a full employment tribunal yet, but were both granted interim relief by a tribunal. The final CDI and trip to tribunal are coming up.

You can read the statements here:
http://www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/files/Arwyn's IR.pdf
http://www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/files/Eamonn's IR.pdf

 

[rmt-driver]

The Tribunal found that the driver WAS unfairly dismissed ! The other case is still waiting to be heard. Obviously LUL think they are above the law and can sack people willy nilly.

 

[HST Power]

The Tribunal found that the driver WAS unfairly dismissed !

Does that mean it's perfectly acceptable to swear at our bosses now?

 

[rmt-driver]

Does that mean it's perfectly acceptable to swear at our bosses now?

That was a different case.

 

[HST Power]

That was a different case.

Joking, joking, as demonstrated by the at end of post.

 

[wintonian]

The strike has now been 'suspended' by the RMT. Which is good news for me as I need to battle up the Northern Line from Waterloo with luggage during morning rush hour on the 19th.

BBC

 

[HST Power]

The strike has now been 'suspended' by the RMT. Which is good news for me as I need to battle up the Northern Line from Waterloo with luggage during morning rush hour on the 19th.

Good news for commuters then. It's pretty hectic on the Overground today.

 

[1V53]

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that tube drivers strike action - due to commence next week - has been suspended following an agreement with London Underground to re-employ unfairly sacked driver Eamonn Lynch, and agreement to hold further discussion aimed at resolving the unfair dismissal of sacked driver Arwyn Thomas in advance of his Employment Tribunal.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“This dispute has only ever been about securing justice for our members who have been unfairly dismissed.

“As a result of this agreement Eamonn Lynch can return to work with his continuity of employment and standard of living protected.

“We now also have an agreement to enter into further discussions with relation to Arwyn Thomas aimed at resolving his unfair dismissal case in advance of his Employment Tribunal.

“As a result we have agreed to suspend the action to allow those further discussions to take place over the next week.

“I want to pay tribute to the loyalty and determination of our members on London Underground who have continued to stand shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues Eamonn and Arwyn. Their strength and courage has been a shining example to the entire trade union movement.”

Ends

Tube strike action due to commence next week suspended after unfairly sacked train driver Eamonn Lynch is re-employed and RMT and LUL agree to further discussions on Arwyn Thomas