RMT's Bakerloo branch is planning a campaign to resist attempts to cut the train driver workforce at Queen's Park depot by 10%. LU wants to reduce the rostered driver establishment from 101 to 90, and the number of pool drivers from six to five.
Although management claim the cuts have nothing to do with the financial crisis faced by TfL/LU due to the pandemic, they have clearly picked their moment to force the cuts through. Unless they are stopped, management in other parts of the business could be given the green light to start salami-slicing staffing levels.
Drivers on the Bakerloo struck in February 2020 in a dispute over working conditions, brought about by a previous timetable change which left drivers with such little time between trips that they weren't able to take a toilet break. With this recent history of struggle, Tubeworker is hopefully we'll see picket lines on the Bakerloo again if management don't abandon their cuts plan.
