Tubeworker

As RMT activists meet to discuss the Executive's decision to cancel Thursday's strike, this special issue of Tubeworker condemns the leadership and sets out a strategy for reviving the action and putting the rank-and-file in charge of future action. You can read and download it here , and/or read the text below. After calling a strike on 10 June, RMT's leadership has now called it off. They have done so without the support - in fact, against the wishes - of the union's branches, reps and the majority of members. LUL should not think that because our leadership does not have the stomach for a...

As RMT ballots its Tube members for strike action over pay, Tubeworker calls for the biggest possible Yes vote. We warn against management's threatened attacks on jobs and conditions, whilst arguing that this should not distract us from the fight for a decent pay rise. We also celebrate the first big step forward in our campaign for the rights of reserve staff. Workplace reports include the latest derailment, the need to unionise cleaners, and the fight for justice for the Metronet Six and for Chris Barrett. You can read and download it here .

The Tubeworker campaign for reserve / cover staff, was given a boost on the 19th of May. At a meeting of the Stations Functional Committee, the management agreed that 28 days notice of duties must be given and changes can not be made to those duties without consulting the staff concerned first. Management agreed to send out a joint Management-Union briefing explaining the rights of cover staff. They also agreed that the practice of telling staff that their duties had changed, rather than asking them if they would mind changing, must stop immediately. This is a major move forward for our...

Probably the two biggest issues for Tube workers are pay and conditions, and the way the company treats us when we are sick. Both these issues have come to a head, and Tubeworker puts the case for a fight on both. Workplace reports include air conditioning, disciplinary procedures, and a call for solidarity with the looming strike on Network Rail. You can read and download it here .

For years, Tube workers have been deeply unhappy with an 'attendance' policy which punishes people for being ill. Now, the company has rewritten the policy. As RMT reps meet on Monday to look at and discuss the new draft, Tubeworker offers our views on what sort of policy we want, and what sort of campaign we want our union to run. You can read and download it here .

In the aftermath of the killing of 200 railway passengers in Madrid, Tubeworker condemns the bombers. It also argues that the US-led military alliance can not defeat terrorist-fundamentalism: only working-class solidarity can do that. This issue tells readers the latest developments in our campaign for a better deal for reserve and pool staff. It also questions RMT's decision to call off the Metronet strike, and reports on workplace issues from the latest pay talks to improvements in privilege travel facilities. View PDF and download it here .

RMT members employed on track and signal maintenance by Metronet on the London Underground will stage a 24 hour strike from 6.00am on Friday 12 March. The RMT rail union issued the following press statement on 1 March : RMT members employed by Metronet on track and signal maintenance on London Underground voted by 5 to 1 to support sacked colleagues. Responding to the vote Bob Crow General Secretary of RMT said: "Reports from our members show an overwhelming support for strike action. All the people sacked were tested and these tests proved negative for alcohol. There is not a shred of...

Now the Labour Party has kicked out the RMT, Tubeworker discusses what the rail unions should do next. It argues for a concerted fight to overturn the Blairites, and for establishing firm principles as to who the union should back in elections - only democratic, working-class socialists. Also in this issue, Tubeworker sets out what a multi-year pay deal must contain if it is to be acceptable. It also campaigns for a Yes vote in the Metronet strike ballot, and for improved rights for reserve and pool workers. Workplace reports include the success of drivers in winning back the pay that London...

Yesterday, Labour's NEC decided that if RMT does not revoke its decision to allow Scottish branches to back the SSP, it will expel the union. Tubeworker argues that the labour movement should put Blair on trial, not the union which set the ball rolling to found the Labour Party. Also in this issue, Tubeworker kicks off its campaign for a better deal for reserve and pool staff, and urges Metronet workers to vote Yes to take strike action in defence of five sacked colleagues. View PDF and download it here .

A letter to Tubeworker subscribers. Dear Tubeworker subscriber JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN FOR A BETTER DEAL FOR RESERVE AND POOL TUBE WORKERS Across many grades, reserve/pool staff get a raw deal. Your working life can be chaos - not knowing your duties until a few days before, last-minute changes which mess up your family and social life, and a lack of proper facilities. Reserve and pool staff do not have enough rights. But, to make matters worse, LUL management does not even honour the rights we are supposed to have. For example, reserve station staff are supposed to get 28 days' notice of duties...