Unite tube workers to ballot for industrial action
22nd October 2009
Unite, the union representing engineering, electrical,
administrative and management workers employed at London
Underground Limited, will give the company notice of an industrial
action ballot this Friday (24th October).
The action arises from London Underground Limited’s refusal to move
on its pay offer for 2009 and follows Unite’s London Underground
Limited members’ recent 2 to 1 decision for an industrial action
ballot.
Unite says that London Underground's ‘final’ two year offer of
1.5 per cent in the first year and RPI plus 0.5 per cent in the
second year does nothing to help Unite members to meet the real
rises in the cost of living, which are not reflected by current
distorted inflation figures.
John Morgan-Evans, Unite regional officer, said: “Unite and the
other unions have been in talks with LUL since July and we have
seen no significant movement on their part on this offer. We have
offered solutions on revised terms and conditions which may have
provided an agreement but they have been rebuffed by London
Underground Limited.
"Our members have been very patient but it is unfortunate that
London Underground seems to be no longer interested in negotiating
a solution. In these circumstances we have no other option than to
ballot our members on industrial action. This was the unanimous
decision at a meeting of our workplace representatives.
“Unite would welcome further discussions should London
Underground wish to revise its offer.”
The Unite industrial action ballot will coincide with the
RMT union’s ballot of its members on the pay issue and it is
anticipated that any resulting industrial action would be
co-ordinated by the two unions.
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
Notes:
Unite’s 600 members in London Underground are responsible for
maintenance, safety, management and power control.
In 2008, job descriptions and salaries reveal that the average
pay, benefits and bonuses of Transport for London (TfL) top
management was £140,000. One hundred and twenty-three TfL managers
earned more than £100,000 in 2007-08.
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