On May 28, 2:54*pm, rail wrote:

In message
* * * * * Mizter T wrote:

On May 28, 12:38*pm, "Recliner" wrote:
About 10,000 Tube workers have voted to strike on two separate disputes
over pay deals and proposed job losses.

The vote, by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union,
was rerun after London Underground (LU) legally challenged a previous
ballot.

Workers will go on a 48-hour strike which will begin at 1859 BST on 9
June and end on 11 June.

The strike is expected to bring havoc to the Tube network, used by more
than three million passengers a day.

The RMT said the ballot result was "overwhelmingly" in favour of strike
action with 2,810 voting for and 488 against.

Earlier LU had said it believed the issues with the RMT could be
resolved without a strike.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8071423.stm

Is this perhaps the RMT flexing their muscles now that the universally
liked and respected MD of London Underground, Tim O'Toole, has
departed?

As it is a rerun of a previous ballot, I suspect that is unlikely. *IIRC the
original ballot was in favour of stike action.

Assuming the BBC have got the facts correct I can't see any union going for a
5 year deal in the current situation. *The other side is that a 5% pay claim
is also unrealistic. *Sounds like both sides need their heads banging
together.


I believe the current pay deal is a 5 year one which is coming towards
an end. I'm not sure of the history of LU pay deals and how long they
have run for in the past, but that's surely where the notion of a new
5 year deal has come from.

In message
,
Mizter T writes
Assuming the BBC have got the facts correct I can't see any union going for a
5 year deal in the current situation. *The other side is that a 5% pay claim
is also unrealistic. *Sounds like both sides need their heads banging
together.


I believe the current pay deal is a 5 year one which is coming towards
an end. I'm not sure of the history of LU pay deals and how long they
have run for in the past, but that's surely where the notion of a new 5
year deal has come from.

The current deal (that expired in 2008) was a 3 year deal which was set
at RPI + 0.6% in its final year.

The current offer is generally (from those I've spoken to) deemed ok as
a one year deal but years 2 - 5 are in contention. We are now 2 months
after the start of the current pay year and still negotiating.

FWIW, I disagree with calling this ballot by the RMT (those who know me
know that I am not an RMT member) before negotiations have reached a
point of impasse, which they haven't as they are still ongoing.

The business about job losses is a bit of a red herring IMO as it's
mostly removing duplication after Metronet was brought in house which
any well run business would endeavour to do. Many of those losing jobs
are not even RMT members and are currently being placed into other roles
within LU and TfL as far as they can.

The breakdown of relationships with management seems to be a few local
issues being thrown into the pot for good measure.
--
Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building.
You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK
(please use the reply to address for email)

On May 28, 9:29*pm, Steve Fitzgerald ] wrote:

In message
,
Mizter T writes

Assuming the BBC have got the facts correct I can't see any union going for a
5 year deal in the current situation. *The other side is that a 5% pay claim
is also unrealistic. *Sounds like both sides need their heads banging
together.

I believe the current pay deal is a 5 year one which is coming towards
an end. I'm not sure of the history of LU pay deals and how long they
have run for in the past, but that's surely where the notion of a new 5
year deal has come from.

The current deal (that expired in 2008) was a 3 year deal which was set
at RPI + 0.6% in its final year.

Thanks for correcting me Steve - just goes to show that no-one should
pay any attention to what I say, it's all huff and bluster!

When you say it expired in 2008, does that actually mean in ran up to
the end of the financial year in April '09?

Any idea where the idea that this upcoming deal should last for 5
years originated from - i.e. LU or the RMT?


The current offer is generally (from those I've spoken to) deemed ok as
a one year deal but years 2 - 5 are in contention. *We are now 2 months
after the start of the current pay year and still negotiating.

That's not that unusual though, or is it?


FWIW, I disagree with calling this ballot by the RMT (those who know me
know that I am not an RMT member) before negotiations have reached a
point of impasse, which they haven't as they are still ongoing.

The business about job losses is a bit of a red herring IMO as it's
mostly removing duplication after Metronet was brought in house which
any well run business would endeavour to do. *Many of those losing jobs
are not even RMT members and are currently being placed into other roles
within LU and TfL as far as they can.

The breakdown of relationships with management seems to be a few local
issues being thrown into the pot for good measure.

Thanks for your input - it's good to hear a view from the 'inside'.

In message
,
Mizter T writes
The current deal (that expired in 2008) was a 3 year deal which was set
at RPI + 0.6% in its final year.

Thanks for correcting me Steve - just goes to show that no-one should
pay any attention to what I say, it's all huff and bluster!

When you say it expired in 2008, does that actually mean in ran up to
the end of the financial year in April '09?

Yes, any new deal will commence from the 2009 financial year.

Any idea where the idea that this upcoming deal should last for 5 years
originated from - i.e. LU or the RMT?

LU.

I understand it's one of Boris's things - as close to a no strike deal
as he can realistically get.
--
Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building.
You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK
(please use the reply to address for email)