Today's press release from RMT is copied below.
Yesterday's press release from ASLEF is here. Since the issuing of this press release, the deadline has passed, and ASLEF has held a joint press conference with RMT where both unions announced their intention to ballot for action.
Here at Tubeworker, we are confident that management will see the error of their ways and back down. Butthe unions must stand firm until they do (or in case they don't!) and members should prepare to vote yes, and carry on refusing to drive.
Read previous Tubeworker coverage of this issue here
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RMT to ballot Tube drivers over victimisation of Northern Line staff - 13 Oct 2005
OCTOBER 13: LONDON UNDERGROUND’S biggest union will ballot all Tube driver members for industrial action unless LUL management give an undertaking by noon today not to victimise or dock pay of Northern Line staff who refuse to undertake duties that endanger the safety of passengers and staff.
NEWS RELEASE
October 13, 2005
“Our members have the legal right to refuse to undertake duties that would put themselves or the travelling public in danger and RMT has a duty to give complete support to any driver who refuses to move a Northern Line train on safety grounds,” said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.
The union has called for the withdrawal of all Northern Line stock following continuing failures of the emergency braking system.
“What questions would be asked if staff deliberately took out faulty or unsafe trains and there was an accident on the Tube” he asked.
Bob Crow said that the shortcomings in private contractor’s maintenance regime on the Northern Line meant that London mayor Ken Livingstone should intervene and bring all Tube maintenance back in-house.
Management back down
RMT press release
RMT welcomes London Underground safety guarantees for Northern Line staff - 13 Oct 2005
OCTOBER 13: LONDON UNDERGROUND’S biggest union has welcomed the fact that LUL management has finally listened to RMT and will not discipline or stop the pay of Northern Line staff who refuse to undertake duties that endanger the safety of passengers and staff.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow also welcomed the fact that LUL has agreed that trains will not run until union reps are satisfied that the service will be safe for staff and the travelling public.
“It should not be left to RMT to ballot for industrial action in order to cease unsafe practices.
“We will not tolerate our staff being caught between a web of contractors and sub-contractors that undermines safety.
“It is now clear to the public that all Tube maintenance must be brought back in-house as has been done on the mainline rail network in the interests of safety,” he said.