Rail unions

Rail, Maritime and Tranposrt Union (RMT); Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF); Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA)

Why the strongest have done poorly in the strikes

By most statistical measures — levels of union density; number of members covered by collective bargaining agreements; numbers of workplace reps — workers in the railway, including the London Underground, and in the postal service can be considered among the best organised in Britain. They are also able to hit their bosses’ or the government’s income directly by strikes, unlike most public service workers. Despite ostensibly extensive strikes, neither group has been able to win victories in their 2022-3 campaigns, while gains have been won by some weaker-placed workers. Why? Part of the reason...

The way forward for RMT in the rail dispute

The text below is a statement circulated among RMT members in the Train Operating Companies for a change in direction and pace to win the dispute. Our year-old industrial action strategy for the TOC dispute has not delivered an acceptable deal. Recent comms from the union leadership have sought to talk up the gains we’ve made and suggest that there are now only two ways for the dispute to go: carry on as before or TOC by TOC negotiations. As expressed by an overwhelming majority of TOC reps at a meeting in January there is a third way; escalate the action. Multiple branches representing...

Tube union plans further action after strike vote

RMT union reps and activists on London Underground met on 30 May to discuss how to implement their 96% majority vote for continued industrial action in their dispute to defend staffing levels, pensions, and agreements. The union is expected to name dates for action in the coming weeks, and also plans further public activity outside stations aimed at building public support. London Underground Ltd (LUL) and Transport for London (TfL) bosses have recently significantly escalated attacks by announcing an intention to move the TfL pension scheme into the Local Government Pension Scheme, which has...

Ruined by the "upgrade"

Pay talks on the Elizabeth Line in London continue at a snail’s pace, with an extra 0.5% over the previous offer. A further meeting is scheduled for 11 June and patience is starting to wear thin on the ground. There is a growing mood that we need to escalate, potentially with the threat of a ballot to force the company’s hand. Our reps say it’s too soon to ballot, as we haven’t received the “final” offer. But how often have we seen a “final” offer suddenly improved after strikes? London Overground staff have informed bosses that if they don’t receive a decent offer before the end of May then...

Increased yes vote: now time for action

The reballot result on the Tube (23 May) shows turnout up from 53% to 56%, and 97% yes for strikes.

An RMT union all members’ meeting on 30 May will discuss the next steps. Tubeworker has argued that we have to urgently step up our action. That should mean multiple days of all-grades action...

Next steps in the TOCs dispute

It was good to be back on the picket lines on 12-13 May, as both Aslef and RMT returned to industrial action in the national dispute with the Rail Delivery Group over pay, jobs, and conditions on Train Operating Companies.

We need to ensure that is swiftly followed up with further, escalated action...

Pay: we can beat the Tories

May 12 and 13 will see workers employed by Train Operating Companies (TOCs) on the mainline railway return to industrial action after a lengthy pause. RMT members, who strike on the 13th, returned a huge majority for action, on a 70% turnout, in their latest re-ballot. Drivers’ union Aslef has also rejected the latest offer put to it by the Rail Delivery Group, the umbrella body representing the TOCs. Aslef drivers strike on the 12th. RMT’s ballot result shows there is still a strong will to fight amongst members; the union leadership must now act on those results by calling the sustained...

Push forward after May Day weekend strikes

The return to strikes by nurses’ union RCN, from 8pm on 30 April until 2 May, is an important opportunity to revive and accelerate the pay fight in the NHS. Unite members in various NHS trusts, including several ambulance trusts, will also strike on 1 and 2 May. If GMB members in the NHS also reject the pay offer in their ballot closing 28 April (possible, despite the GMB leadership recommending acceptance), their members in ambulance trusts and elsewhere in the NHS could also strike, officially from mid-May, but sooner if GMB members refuse to cross other unions’ pickets. Although junior...

Tube pay: don’t let bosses set the pace

London Underground bosses have told unions that they will begin negotiations over our next pay settlement on 11 May. If previous years’ talks are anything to go by, they’ll likely drag on for months. Meanwhile, our pay falls further and further behind inflation. Remember: we were due a new settlement on 1 April. Why should we accept this? Why should we allow management to set the pace? Instead, we should set our own timetable. If management haven’t made us a satisfactory offer by an agreed date, we should immediately move to a ballot for industrial action. Tubeworker suggests launching the...

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