solidarity with RMT tube drivers who ballot to strike over unfair sackings

TUBE UNION RMT today announced strike dates after members voted by almost two to one for strike action in a ballot of all train operator and instructor operator members in the on-going disputes over the victimisation of union activists including two driver members - Eamon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas - over their trade union activities.

All London Underground train driver members are instructed not to book on for any duty that commences:

•between 21:01 on Monday 16 May and 11:59 on Tuesday 17 May
•between 12:00 on Wednesday 18 May and 11:59 on Thursday 19 May
•between 12:00 on Friday 20 May and 21:00 on Friday 20 May

All London Underground train driver members are further instructed not to book on for any duty that commences:

•between 21:01 on Monday 13 June and 11:59 on Tuesday 14 June
•between 12:00 on Wednesday 15 June and 11:59 on Thursday 16 June
•between 12:00 on Friday 17 June and 21:00 on Friday 17 June

Eamon Lynch, RMT Bakerloo Line drivers’ health and safety rep, has been sacked by LU and although he remains on full pay following the union’s victory on Eamon’s behalf at an “interim relief” Employment Tribunal hearing the company has shown total contempt for the Tribunal process and have upheld his sacking. Interim relief is only ever granted by the Employment Tribunal where there is the clearest possible evidence that an employee has been dismissed on the grounds of their trade union activities. RMT is currently awaiting the outcome of Eamon’s full tribunal hearing.


Arwyn Thomas, a long-standing RMT activist and driver at Morden has been sacked on trumped-up disciplinary charges following unproven allegations made against him by strike breakers. Arwyn has been an RMT/NUR member for over 29 years and has held various positions in the union. Arwyn has also won an interim relief hearing at the Employment Tribunal on the grounds of his victimisation as an RMT activist and has been put back on full pay as a result.


RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:


“It is the abject failure of LU to recognise that their policy of victimisation of union activists has been well and truly rumbled both in the Employment Tribunal and in their own depots that has left us with no choice but to name these dates for strike action.


“The solution is simple - LU should accept that 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 massive vote for action by tube drivers shows that they are well aware of the consequences of allowing our activists and safety reps to be picked off while we hear daily reports of breakdowns and failures on the network as a direct result of the very cuts that our members have been fighting.


“The attack on Eamon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas is the clearest cut case of victimisation on the grounds of trade union activities that you will ever see and it’s no wonder that the Employment Tribunal was swift to see through the management lies and grant both these members “Interim Relief” - an award which requires the strongest possible proof that their sackings were down to their union activities.”



Ends




To me i will always b ack union members wishing to take strike action no matter what as i believe in workers having a way to protect themselves against management and the onslaugh of the capitalist system at its harshest. This strike is not only right but it is fair and i do hope the two workers are reinstated on full pay and compensated for loss of earnings too. The LU think they can bully union members around well they have anotehr thing coming. This sadly is not uncommon in the workplace the victimisation of union members and union reps is something i have blogged about before on this blog and it upsets me to no end. IT just shows that the law is so unfairly balanced against trade unions in this country we barely have a foot to stand on. Its a disgrace and we must show our support and solidarity with these workers. The RMT are one of the best unions for standing up for their members and i think they should be supported not victimised and slandered by the capitalist press.