Newsletter: November, 2008

East London Rail Branch News Vol I, Issue 9 November 2008

0626 East London Rail
B r a n ch N e w s
Email: eastlondonrail@rmt.org.uk

Secretary: Ed Shine– 07940340128 Chair: Glenn Wallis – 07789791224

National Union of Rail, Maritime, & Transport Workers’
GENERAL SECRETARY: Bob Crow

NXEA: WE DEFY YOU

DEFEND JOBS
DEFEND REPS
DEFEND
YOURSELF
Charlie Cicirello's dismissal appeal was rejected on the basis that, when 5 RPI’s, he was representing,
told him that they had shared each others Avantix passwords, "he should have reported it straight to
management" according to the hearing officer Ben Rule. This was made clearly aware to the Police
and was recorded in statements when they investigated the 2006 fraud case.
This is a clear and vicious attack on a union rep who is guilty of nothing more than not grassing up
the members he was representing, and is an abuse of the company's disciplinary procedure. All four
unions should support the RMT and avoid this abuse happening to their reps. How would you want
your rep to behave next time you had to tell them something in confidence?
SUPPORT TRADE UNION REPS AND FIGHT FOR CHARLIE CICIRELLO'S REINSTATEMENT: WHAT
CHARLIE HAS NEVER DONE IS REPORTED TO THE MANAGEMENT SOMETHING TOLD TO HIM BY A MEMBER
IN CONFIDENCE
Charlie was a first class union representative who has worked tirelessly for his members and has
been an exceptional advocate in various disciplinary hearings. Time after time Charlie has helped and
assisted members and has always been there when members have needed him to stand up for their
rights against an ruthless and indifferent management.
This is a clear act of aggression against our union and clear victimisation of our trade union’s repre-
sentative Charlie Cicirello, and the other members who found themselves caught in the crossfire.

CHRISTMAS BRANCH MEETING: THURSDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2008, 1700 HOURS:
The Railway Tavern Public House (Conservatory room), Angel Lane,
1
Stratford, London E15… CONTACT THE BRANCH SECRETARY FOR DETAILS


NATIONAL EXPRESS EAST ANGLIA- be honoured and adhered to; and that likewise
Breakdown of industrial relations. RMT will be allowed the effective representation
of members by representatives, including confi-
This Branch is appalled at the continuing attacks dentiality between them.
upon this Union by the management of National ⇒ This must also include the repudiation and
Express East Anglia. In recent weeks they have: renouncing of the Appeal Hearing Officer’s (Ben
Rule) openly stated reasons for dismissing the
⇒ Sacked RMT members to cover up manage- Appeal, leading to the inevitable and immediate
ments’ inept handling of the Company’s revenue re-instatement of Bro. Cicirello, a struggle that
security, in breach of their own policies and pro- continues at this very point in time.
cedures, and their own franchise commitments; ⇒ The immediate withdrawal of the 300-plus
⇒ Scapegoated an excellent and effective RMT job cuts proposed by NXEA and an immediate
Company Council and Health and safety repre- undertaking from the Company that the estab-
sentative for telling the truth in a Crown Court, lished PTR&R arrangements remain inviolate.
while the Head of the Department itself was actu- ⇒ This Union instigates a rigorous and high-
ally reprimanded by the Judge for treating the profile highlighting NXEA’s scapegoating of our
due process of law effectively with contempt, members and their decimation of jobs, many of
with no sanction or disciplinary action taken them front-line and passenger facing, which can
against him by the Company as has happened to only lead to a worse service for the travelling
our members; public.
⇒ In dismissing Bro. Charlie Cicirello’s Appeal ⇒ This campaign is to involve all aspects of
against Dismissal, at least in part on the grounds our organisation, e.g., our Parliamentary Group,
that RMT representatives are expected to reveal local and regional officers and representatives,
all disclosures made to the rep. by the members the media, advertisements, radio, etc.
they are representing is tearing up the Collective
Bargaining Agreement, effectively attempting to In view of these attacks on this Union by this
de-recognise this Union in the fundamentals of Company, which returned a 9% profit last year,
our operation, and the ability of this Union to ef- is decimating staffing levels and destroying the
fectively defend its’ members. service, and yet still claims to be an ‘Investor In
⇒ The latest attack being the demand for over People’, the only sensible and proportionate re-
300 positions to be scrapped. This must surely be sponse from this Union, as the attacks are, com-
the final straw; if this Union fails to respond vig- pany-wide.
orously to these attacks, our members in all
grades will be left defenceless. Therefore this Branch demands that the
General Grades Committee instructs the
This Branch demands: General Secretary to immediately ballot all
of our National Express East Anglia mem-
⇒ That the General Grades Committee in- bers for both strike action and action short
structs the General Secretary to demand an im- of a strike, until this Company acknowl-
mediate meeting with the Managing Director of edges our concerns, concedes our rights,
National Express East Anglia, Andrew Chivers, to and accedes to our legitimate demands.
obtain assurances that this Union remains recog-
nised by the company and that the Collective Bar- PROPOSED: Glenn Wallis
gaining agreement and all other procedures will SECONDED: Ed Shine
‘PASSED UNANIMOUSLY’


2


THOUGHT
KEITH BAYMAN SPEAKS
FOR THE MOMENT
THE FOLLOWING LETTER HAS
BEEN RECEIVED BY EAST LON- There's an inner thing in every man,
DON RAIL BRANCH FROM Do you know this thing my friend?
REVENUE PROTECTION INSPEC- It has withstood the blows of a million
TOR KEITH BAYMAN, OF years,
LIVERPOOL STREET DEPOT, ONE And will do so to the end.
OF THE FOUR UNFAIRLY
SACKED AND DEMOTED RMT It died in Rome by lion and sword,
MEMBERS THE BRANCH HAS And in defiant cruel array,
SUPPORTED THESE LAST FEW When the deathly word was 'Spartacus'
MONTHS. TO KEITH, AND HIS Along the Appian Way.
COLLEAGUES, WE PASS OUR KEITH BAYMAN
BEST WISHES FOR THE FUTURE, AND PLEDGE OUR It marched with Wat the Tyler's poor,
SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO SEEING TRUE And frightened lord and king,
JUSTICE DONE TO THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: And it was emblazoned in their deathly
‘PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD: BUT KEEP YOUR stare,
POWDER DRY’. KEEP THE FAITH, COMRADES. As e'er a living thing.

“May I take this opportunity to thank ALL It burst forth through pitiful Paris streets,
RMT members for their support during my And stormed the old Bastille,
recent disciplinary matter. I would especially And marched upon the serpent's head,
like to thank all revenue staff for their And crushed it 'neath its heel.
continuous backing, and having faith in me.
It screamed aloud by Kerry lakes,
The personal contact that both myself and my As it was knelt upon the ground,
And it died in great defiance,
family received during this stressful time was
As they coldly shot it down.
invaluable, and upon my re-instatement at
Liverpool Street the welcome I received by It lights the dark of this prison cell,
Revenue, Gateline and other members of It thunders forth its might,
staff including Drivers and even the British It is 'the undauntable thought', my friend,
Transport Police was touching. The thought that says 'I'm right!'

My sincere thanks go out to both Ken Lake FROM: ‘The Rhythm Of Time’
and Bob Rayner for all their efforts in draw-
ing this matter to a positive conclu-
sion.
Keith Bayman.”

A wee thought...
ompany,
Care fr om this C e-
“Duty of m Manag
spect fro a
lty and re ts on a Gorilla…
like loya s -
ent, are
like brea inary peo
m ha ble to ord
, untouc ly
curiosity ing earth The Right Honourable Member of
o f no f***
ple, and Parliament for Fermanagh and South
.”
use at all Tyrone, Robert Sands MP, 1954-1981.

3


JUBILEE SOUTH AND EAST
LONDON LINE BRANCH (LUL)
“RE: VICTIMISATION OF RMT MEMBERS

I am writing to you concerning the victimisation of your
members, and your battle with National Express East Anglia.
It is a disgrace, but not a surprise, regarding the actions that the em-
ployers have taken, and every attempt must be made to defeat them, and
ensure victory.

In that regard, our branch sends all our support to your members in this time of
struggle, and if there is anything that we can do to assist you in any way in your fight
with National Express, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours in solidarity, Jason Humphreys
Branch Secretary– Jubilee South and East London Line”

HAMMERSMITH
AND CITY LINE
BRANCH (LUL)
“RE: DISMISSAL OF CHARLIE
CICIRELLO AND ROB LEES, NXEA
RPI’S

It has come to our attention at the
Hammersmith and City Line Branch
that once more an unscrupulous
employer is attempting to victimise
our union representatives and
members, in this case, National
Express East Anglia.

I would like to take this opportunity
to ask you if you could pass on our
Branch’s support and solidarity to
these members and if there is
anything the Hammersmith and City
Line branch can do to assist in this
matter, please contact me.

Yours sincerely, Mark Harding
Branch Secretary-
Hammersmith and City Line”

4


ANDY LITTLECHILD IS A COMPANY COUNCIL AND HEALTH &
SAFETY REP FOR P-WAY WORKERS AT METRONET. HE HAS “ORGANISING YOUR
WORKED FOR LUL SINCE 1989. IN DECEMBER, THEY RETURN TO BRANCH FOR THE
THE PUBLIC SECTOR SINCE METRONET WENT BUST. THE STRUGGLE”
BRANCH INVITED HIM TO SPEAK AS HE WAS RECENTLY SACKED
DUE TO HIS TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES. HERE HE SPEAKS ON THE
HIGH-PROFILE AND SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN TO GET HIM HIS JOB
BACK, WITH SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO DO THE SAME FOR OUR
SACKED COMRADE, ALSO COMPANY COUNCILLOR AND HEALTH &
SAFETY REP, CHARLIE CICIRELLO.
“Comrades and friends– having said I did not recognise.
been invited here to assist you in From then on, they tried to sack
your struggle to re-instate your me, throwing four counts of
sacked Reps and members, I Gross Misconduct at me, two of
hope my experiences, and how them taken from the ‘Health and
the RMT we have organised lo- Safety at Work’ Act which meant
cally fought back, will be of some I could potentially be criminally Andy Littlechild... with his
use to you all. prosecuted. favourite newsletter!
It was basically an issue of hard- But we are here to compare what
hats: Company policy said that happened in Charlie’s case with RMT is said to be led from the
we only needed to wear PPE how I got my job back, and ground, and this way, it is! We
when working on or near the maybe translate some points of spend enough time fighting with
line, only when a Risk Assess- our campaign into yours, to fight management, without disagree-
ment has been done, and that his case. ing with our own officers! Ironi-
that Risk Assessment must be STRIKE COMMITTEE cally we control, not just man-
done with a qualified Safety Rep To our advantage, we already agement, but our own officials
in attendance. We have a man- had a Strike Committee set up– with the Strike Committee.
ager who likes trying to dictate this covers all Grades and De- Once the Committee is set up,
to people what you’ve got to do, pots, and we use it to defend you can carry it on, after
and how you do it, regardless of ourselves against the usual com- Charlie’s case is resolved. It will
agreed procedures or established pany attacks– re-organisations, be there for your future battles,
policy. And from what I hear, you roster changes, and to fight for and will mean not only ALL your
in Revenue at National Express pay and benefits– AND THAT Reps going into management
are having to deal with a man- WAS ALREADY IN PLACE TO united on the issues, but will
ager cut from the same cloth. FIGHT FOR ME. mean members are guaranteed
Basically we have spent the last Get Local Reps, Company Coun- to get what they want. Good
three years trying to get HIM in cil Reps, Branch Officers (from Luck!!!”
line with Company Policy! what ever Branches cover you)
But we were not getting any- from all Depots and Grades to T H E BR A NC H T H A NKS BR O.
LITTLECHILD FOR ATTENDING OUR
where,; so one night I simply re- Strike Committee meetings; re- BRANCH MEETING AND SHARING
fused to wear the hat. He left member that (particularly Com- HIS EXPERIENCES WITH US, AND
with his tail between his legs, but pany Council Reps) many of ALSO HIS BRANCH SECRETARY PAUL
later drew up his own risk As- these people will be negotiating JACKSON (LUL ENGINEERING) FOR
FACILITATING IT. BRANCH NEWS
sessment, changing the proce- for you– and this way you can REGRETS THAT DUE TO LACK OF
dure to suit what he wanted. I CONTROL what they do. We in- SPACE, HIS SPEECH HAD TO BE CUT.
was ordered off site when an vite Full Time RMT Officials TH E LESSO N, TH ER EF OR E,
Auditor came down with the along, but it is not essential if COMRADES, IS ALWAYS BE THERE
‘new’ Risk Assessment, which I they do not attend; after all the ON THE NIGHT!

5


BOOKING ON PROCEDURES

A punch-key device has been installed at GOB Line
stations to sign on with which LOROL claim is a
safety device because it will tell them you are
on-site. However the Branch noted that it will be an
effective method of monitoring absence/ lateness to
the minute yet will in no way tell the company
whether you are at that point getting assaulted. The
Company’s arguments are spurious to say the least.
The Branch also noted this was not negotiated with
Rep’s.
The ‘Mandown’ electronic personal safety device
would be far more effective; but this device as
HEALTH AND SAFETY issued is still known to be subject to random faults
and problems, and as such staff phone 999 in
The toilets at Wanstead Park have been emergencies, by-passing Company failures for their
pumped out, but to no real avail as the smell own safety, and the fact that this is necessary is
is still over-powering even after the pumping. outrageous to say the least.
Assurances were given that the refurbish-
ment of Wanstead Park will begin on the 22nd MESSING FACILITIES
November, but this has now been deferred
until the 22nd December- which is unlikely to
happen, if not impossible due to Christmas. It Staff have now been informed that they can use
was commented that, on this issue, perhaps the messing facilities at alternative stations if none
LOROL believe that this Branch and it’s or inadequate facilities are available at their own;
members are not able to read a calendar??? this seems to over-rule a previous instruction that
staff should NOT leave their home station whilst
on duty! This would be an advance, due to the
poor facilities LOROL seem content to generally
LACK OF COMMUNICATION: provide– BUT WE ASSUME TRAVELLING TIME TO
AND FROM THESE OTHER STATIONS WILL NOT
BE INCLUDED IN STAFF MEMBERS’ BREAKS! Local
No meetings are held with the LDC, and Rep’s
Rep’s– please inform your Branch of any abuse of
do not get prompt or carefully considered
responses from management (if they get them this principle!
at all!), and this culture is prevalent at both
Local and Company Council level. This lack of SHEPHERD’S BUSH
communication is deemed by the Branch to be
intentional as it avoids the Company having to
provide answers to difficult questions, and also This situation has now been resolved following re-
having anything in writing to be held to. They assurances by the Company, however apparently
may believe (as was noted, similarly to the two Guards have elected to voluntarily stay in that
management of NXEA) that this is a clever multi-functional rate there; it will be of interest to
policy, but it constitutes complete destruction of see if they take the expected pay-cut of £5-6,000.
the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which this
Branch, and the RMT, will defend to the last. Continued next page

6


LOROL- Members’ workplace conditions, welfare and pay.

This Branch requests the General Grades Committee to inform the General Secretary of
its’ concerns, for our members at London Overground, regarding:
⇒ The assurances made by LOROL and given to this Trade Union regarding the provision of
acceptable welfare at stations between Woodgrange Park and Upper Holloway on the Gospel Oak-
Barking line.
⇒ It is clear that the Company’s schedule of upgrading welfare provision, e.g. sanitary toilets and
messing facilities, is not being completed with our members interests at heart or soon enough-
having already taken a year- to demonstrate a commitment to those interests that both Health
and Safety legislation and Duty of Care procedures require;

⇒ The fact that our lowest paid members on LOROL will not benefit from the second year of the
current pay deal, and we stress that these workers must not be forgotten in the 2010 pay
submission, as these Grades (e.g., RO2) currently earn less (in basic rate) than the London Living
Wage that this Union has fought to gain so hard and so successfully for in other areas;

⇒ The continuing use of Agency staff, who are now being used as de facto Station Assistants, in
place of directly employed staff in minuted positions; and

⇒ Station Assistants working between Woodgrange Park and Upper Holloway are still not receiv-
ing their due entitlements under current conditions of service, such as ‘home stations’ for all
station assistants, including General Purpose Relief staff, and travelling time to be paid, which is
not currently the case.
PROPOSED: Zabir Mohmed SECONDED: John Clarke ‘PASSED UNANIMOUSLY’

RE-STRUCTURING PAY
The negotiations regarding the re-structuring of This is one of the most important issues facing
all Departments are now scheduled to begin on our members on LOROL, and the Branch noted
2nd December 2008 that platform staff’s basic rate before overtime/
Sunday working etc. (approximately £6.67) is cur-
‘MANGUARD’ AGENCY rently less than what our Cleaning grades mem-
bers on London Underground Ltd currently earn;
LOROL are still recruiting Manguard Security thus it is also less than the London Living Wage
staff to use as permanent station staff. which this union is fighting so coherently for on
They are not trained for this role and are not other Companies. This needs to be addressed
always professional having a lack of knowledge prior to the pay anniversary of April 2009.
and providing passengers with mis-information
(particularly in periods of severe disruption, HOME STATIONS
when arguably they are needed most), which
puts all staff at risk at having to resolve issues GPR Staff on the GOB Line still do not have a
they have caused or being blamed for their ‘home station’, which the Branch condemned as a
mistakes. breach of PTR&R by denying them traveling time.

7


NEXT
BRANCH MEETING
THURSDAY 18TH
DECEMBER 2008
17:00 HOURS

THE
RAILWAY TAVERN HOTEL
ANGEL LANE
STRATFORD

NXEA REVENUE STAFF STRIKE MEETING:
ATTEND THIS MEETING AND GET THE LATEST UPDATES ON
THE CAMPAIGN TO RE-INSTATE YOUR VICTIMISED COL-
LEAGUES. SHOW SUPPORT- UNITE AND FIGHT BACK!!!

8

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