Pickets at Arnos Grove depot get an early start

ROCK SOLID AGAIN!

Following the failure of LUL management to consult honestly with the unions over their plans to attack jobs and working conditions on the job, a second 48-hour strike took place on 29th and 30th April. And what a superb effort it was from all grades within our union, with some excellent support also from ASLEF members who have seen the writing on the wall. As in February, the Piccadilly line led the way with a near total shutdown on the trains side, and with many stations forced to close. Our thanks go to every member of staff

(regardless of union affiliation) who took part. This is unity in action and it gives us a real chance of defeating the company’s ruinous plans for the future of the Underground. LUL and RMT have now resumed talks, but management wrecked a deal RMT put forward at ACAS at the last minute by demanding we give up so we will have to roll up our sleeves and go again next week and at the time of writing, the next strike is still on for 72 hours, starting at 2100 on Monday 5th May. We will let you know of any changes to this.

ARNOS GROVE DEPOTOnly eight drivers crossed the picket lines at Arnos Grove and Oakwood over the two days of action. This makes it the best supported strike at Arnos Grove ever – even better than in February. Even the rather pointless Cockfosters shuttle could not run for large parts of the strike.

As in February, the picket line at Arnos depot was attended by many drivers, station staff and other supporters during the course of the strike. With the better weather, there was almost a party atmosphere on the line. Spirits were kept up with a barbeque and drinks, but even more by the rock solid support of drivers who stayed away from work and, by so doing, sent a loud message to LUL bosses that they will not roll us over without a fight.

Arnos Grove Acton Town Northfields

Piccadilly

LU say they were running a full service from 1500 hrs on Wednesday. Really? Northfields depot tells a different story!

“If you fight you won't always win. But if you don’t fight, you will always lose.” Bob Crow

Also, to give credit where it is due, local managers gave the pickets no problems, and were more accommodating than in some previous disputes. This is how it should be, so we thank them for that.

ACTON TOWN AND NORTHFIELDSThere was a tremendous show of support from all but a few drivers on the west end of the Piccadilly line. Our colleagues in our sister union understood and respected our lines. The camaraderie on the picket was special; we all knew as train ops we were supporting our station colleagues and, in the long run, supporting ourselves. The few drivers who did work were able to provide nothing more than a 2/4 train service going no further than Hammersmith.

There is a savage and sustained attack coming to all employees of TfL and we really need to show them we won't roll over and it won't be easy. We will protect the travelling public and we will protect our pensions. From the left: Carlos Barros, Gary Harbord, Gwyn Pugh, Sharon

Clark-Callow, Jason Buck and last but not least, the super hoop himself Mark O'Donoghue.ATTACK ON PENSIONS

LUL has written to the RMT asking for a meeting to discuss closing the scheme to new TfL employees. Make no mistake; this move would adversely affect not only new staff, but established staff as well. As less and less money went into the scheme, a point would be reached where the scheme was no longer sustainable, giving the company an excuse to close it completely. Needless to say, we will oppose this and other attempts to weaken our pension scheme.

ASLEF VOTE TO BAR NEW ENTRANTSIncredibly, at the recent Extraordinary General Meeting of the Pensions Committee, ASLEF voted with the employers against our motion to allow all TfL staff to be able to join the pension scheme. This motion was put forward in response to TfL’s refusal to allow Tubelines staff to join the scheme, even though Tubelines is now a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL. ASLEF also voted against allowing staff to transfer in accumulated pensions from other schemes. ASLEF members should worry that their leaders are actively weakening the pension scheme and ask this question: whose side are they on?

STATIONSOnce again, RMT station staff responded magnificently to the strike call, causing many stations to close and forcing nons and managers to keep open the busiest stations. Cockfosters, Arnos Grove and Bounds Green were among the many stations closed for most or all of the strike.