The latest industrial action on the London Underground could affect commuters' journeys as maintenance staff protest against what they claim are management failures.
Tube fleet maintenance action started on Tuesday (March 7) with no end in site as the union say it will continue “until further notice.”
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) members are protesting a range of management failures.
Speaking after the action was announced in February, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This level of flagrant abuse and ignorance of long-standing policies and procedures is unacceptable and the anger among RMT Fleet grades members is clear following this overwhelming mandate for strike action."
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He added: “It is down to London Underground to start taking this list of grievances seriously, to stop trying to impost fundamental changes to agreed policies and working conditions and to halt the bullying and harassment of our reps.”
Staff concerns about management
The claims RMT has set out include that London Underground management is:
• Not consulting or negotiating with the union over reduced staffing levels within the fleet operations.
• Breaching the agreement on night tube and failing to recruit adequate additional staff to cover this work.
• Actively attacking RMT reps for carrying out their trade union duties.
• Not following the correct process when seeking to change roster.
What does the action involve?
The terms of the action include:
• Not to work any overtime or attend training courses outside of normal working hours.
• Not to carry out any higher grade duty work.
• Not to change any shifts or work locations to assist with maintenance .
• No trainers are to carry out training for anyone on a job that is not their substantive role.
• No coaches to coach anyone on a job that is not their substantive role.
• Not to work if there is no first aider on site.
Transport for London (TfL) said the action is likely to have a minimal impact on the service.
A TfL spokesman said: "We urge the RMT leadership to work with us constructively on the issues it has raise rather than holding unnecessary industrial action. "
Upcoming strike
There is an upcoming strike on Monday (March 13) to the Southern Rail network as conductors walk out.
This action will affect services in Clapham Junction, Kensington Olympia and Watford.
Trains between London Bridge and Brighton, Eastbourne or Littlehampton will also be affected.
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