Newsletter: August, 2009

East London Rail Branch News Vol II, Issue 1 September 2009

0626 East London Rail
Branch News
Email: eastlondonrail@rmt.org.uk
CK
RI
R R Secretary: Ed Shine– 07940340128
DE FO L !
TE RR NA R!!
VO MA GIO ISE National Union of Rail, Maritime, & Transport Workers’
RE AN GENERAL SECRETARY: Bob Crow
G
OR

SPECIAL ‘BYE-BYE BOWKER’ EDITION !!!
YOU STRUCK
FOR JOBS
YOU STRUCK
FOR P A Y
YOU HAVE GAINED BOTH
NATIONAL EXPRESS EAST ANGLIA– the Company’s offers to BUT: They weren’t strong enough; they were forced by you
it’s Trade Unions went from desultory to almost laughable. to negotiate.
Having offered £200 (non-incremental on salary, pension, or BUT: There was more money available;
allowances), their further offers were effectively identical but AND: Strike action did achieve something!
under a pretence of increasing it. The General Grades Commit- So who was right? Who tells you the truth? An employer who
tee of the RMT rightly rejected these so-called ‘offers’, as really lies to you for its’ own ends or a Union that keeps you fully in-
STILL a pay-cut! On top of the stalling of pay talks and the volved in the negotiating process, even by giving YOU the final
Company’s failure to make a meaningful offer, the Joint Work- say in a pay referendum?
ing Party on contract and agency labour set up during the previ- You were right. We were right. They were wrong.
ous dispute made no progress at all with the Company still us- HOPEFULLY THOSE FEW WHO CROSSED YOUR
ing this labour in defiance of the dispute resolution agreement PICKET LINES WILL REMEMBER THIS, AND RE-
we gained at the end of the last strike! The JWP has now, fun- MEMBER THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND LOST MONEY
nily enough, been set up as promised. Another back-down on FOR THE SAKE OF ALL, GAINED SOMETHING FOR
their part. EVERYONE– whether you think they deserve it or not, of
PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART IN THE THREE DAYS OF course, is up to you!
STRIKE ACTION GAVE YOUR NEGOTIATORS THE
POWER TO DEMAND- AND GET-! A BETTER OFFER.
The Company’s propaganda to staff before the strike made out
they were strong enough to withstand your action; that there
was no more money available anyway; and that strike action
wouldn’t achieve anything. And Mr. Andrew Chivers claimed
that himself.

NEXT BRANCH MEETING: TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2009, 1700 HOURS:
1 The Railway Tavern Public House (Conservatory room), Angel Lane,
Stratford, London E15… CONTACT THE SECRETARY FOR DETAILS

ber 2009

il

40128

kers’

N !!!
K
K
TH
orced by you

mployer who
s you fully in-
YOU the final

SED YOUR
, AND RE-
ST MONEY
THING FOR
it or not, of


ANGLIA REGIONAL
ORGANIZER NOMINEE AND
N.X.E.A. TRAIN DRIVER
BRO. DERRICK MARR
‘KEBABS’
NATIONAL EXPRESS AT
EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL
Derrick Marr won a resounding victory by
reversing his sacking by NXEA at Stratford
As many of you will know by now, Bro. Bob Employment Tribunal, because the tribunal
‘Dreadnought’ Rayner, our Regional Or- believed had a strong case for unfair dis-
ganiser and Lead Officer of many years, is due missal for trade-union activities. The tri-
to retire in September. This means that an elec- bunal said the company had adopted a
tion has to take place within the London & “brutal approach” with the dismissal, and
Anglia Region for a new Regional Organiser. had displayed no sympathy towards Der-
This Branch, along with many others, has rick Marr’s medical condition. The union
nominated Bro. Derrick Marr for the posi- argued that Derrick had been dismissed for
his high-profile union activities, and the
tion.
judgment meant that there was a an expec-
WE URGE ALL OUR MEMBERS AND tation that Derrick would win his case at a
READERS TO VOTE IN THIS ELEC- full hearing.
TION AND SPECIFICALLY, TO VOTE ‘DERRICK MARR #1’ General Secretary Bob Crow said; “We
WHEN YOU DO. believe it is quite clear that Del Marr was
WHY VOTE ‘DEL MARR’?!?!? dismissed because he has been an effec-
tive trade union rep for many years".
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ THE ELECTION AD- They were forced not only to re-instate
DRESSES YOU RECEIVED WITH YOUR BALLOT PAPER- Bro. Marr to his job, but to reimburse him
BRO. MARR, AS WELL AS LISTING WHAT HE HAS AL- all lost back pay, and pay an undis-
READY DONE (TWO TERMS ON THE EXECUTIVE COM- closed sum in compensation.
MITTEE, BRANCH SECRETARY, LOCAL AND COMPANY The Branch wishes Del Marr all the best
COUNCIL REP ETC), ALSO TELLS US WHAT HE WANTS TO in his future dealings with these pirates
ACHIEVE– FILLING VACANCIES, FUNCTIONAL
BRANCHES, EQUALITY, RESPECT, AND CONFRONTING
MANAGEMENT BULLYING AND HARASSMENT; AND IM-
PROVING UNION COMMUNICATION, REPRESEN-
TATION, AND BASICALLY TO

PROVIDE STRONG LEADERSHIP SO NOT ONLY DOES THIS TELL US HE HAS THE EXPERI-
ENCE AND HISTORY FOR THIS REGION, IT TELLS US HE HAS IDEAS AND PLANS FOR IT
TOO. ON WHICH HIS OPPONENT SAYS VERY LITTLE EXCEPT RIGHT AT THE END- A
SLIGHTLY VAGUE ‘PLEDGE’.
VOTE ‘DERRICK MARR FOR R.O. AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT IN THE
ENVELOPE PROVIDED BY 25th SEPTEMBER 2009
IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A BALLOT PAPER PLEASE CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL REP, BRANCH SECRETARY (07940 340 128) OR CALL
THE R.M.T. FREE HELPLINE ON 0800 376 3706.


ber 2009

NAL
EE AND
RIVER
ARR

SS AT
BUNAL
g victory by
at Stratford
the tribunal
unfair dis-
ies. The tri-
adopted a
missal, and
owards Der-
The union
smissed for
es, and the
a an expec-
his case at a

said; “We
el Marr was
an effec-
ars".
-instate
mburse him
undis-

all the best
se pirates!

XPERI-
FOR IT
- A

THE

ACT
ALL


REVENUE PROTEC-
TION MEMBER HAR-
ASSED DURING THE
RETAIL STRIKE
REVENUE PROTEC- It was also reported that one of
TION DURING THE this Branches’ (working) Reve-
RETAIL STRIKE nue Protection members was
victimised by a senior manager
Dissatisfaction was reported whilst on Duty during a strike
among RPI members at being day, purely, the Branch be-
excluded from the strike action lieves, because he was the only
NXEA RETAIL STAFF ON STRIKE AT LIVERPOOL
due to not having been in- visible RMT member there at STREET– PART OF THE PICKET LINE, WHICH THE
cluded on the ballot, which re- the time. In what can have been GENERAL SECRETARY, BOB CROW, AT-
sulted in having to cover little more than an attempt to TENDED, ON 30th JULY 2009
ticket-selling duties on the last demean him and his Union, he
day. It was felt that his should was told to ’sweep out a waiting
have been foreseen and pre- room’! When the member
MISUSE OF MFA
vented. The Branch recognised (rightly) refused, the senior Local Reps are increasingly concerned at t
that pay was not an issue due manager attempted to Company’s willingness to place members o
to a four year Revenue Protec- send him home. MfA even following a period of absence that w
tion pay deal; but it was noted The Branch noted that it is the result of assault at work or Industri
that the ballot was also about a ironic, but of no surprise at all, (workplace) injury. This is in clear breach of the
breakdown of industrial rela- that during a dispute on the own ‘Chain of Care’ and Health and Safety pr
tions. Even our Lead Officer breakdown of Industrial Rela- cedures, and although the MfA procedure stat
has previously stated that the tions, senior managers should quite clearly that each case must be judged on i
Revenue Protection depart- continue a blatant policy of merits and that the interviewing manager may u
ment has probably the worst harming those relations even discretion, the branch hears that Human R
industrial relations in the more. sources take the view that it should be automati
Company (having recently re- On a lighter note, it is not often We are dealing with this at both a Company an
ferred to Revenue Protection that this Newsletter finds just RMT Head Office level.
management as ’Renegade cause for congratulating Mr.
Management’) somet hing Alan Perry, Head of Revenue
could have been done along Protection, but in the interests
these lines. A resolution was of giving credit where it is due,
proposed (by the Secretary) the Branch was glad to learn
and seconded (Bro. Dean Coo- that he personally intervened No retail reports were heard by the branc
per) and passed unanimously and the matter was resolved to due to the absence of any other NXEA RM
to inform the general Secretary the member’s satisfaction. members. The Secretary noted that it was di
of our view. ficult for the Branch to consider and discu
the numerous issues facing our retail grad
members if none of them ever turned up an
reported on their issues. Especially as, ha
ing just waged a successful dispute, it wou
have been useful to receive feedback and ad
vice from those involved in this successf
dispute.


ber 2009

T LIVERPOOL
E, WHICH THE
B CROW, AT-

ncerned at the
members on
sence that was
or Industrial
breach of their
nd Safety pro-
rocedure states
e judged on its
anager may use
t Human Re-
d be automatic.
Company and

y the branch
NXEA RMT
hat it was dif-
r and discuss
retail grades
urned up and
cially as, hav-
pute, it would
back and ad-
his successful


THOUGHT(S)
FOR THE MOMENT

“All too often miners, and indeed other
trade unionists, underestimate the eco-
nomic strength they have”
“The labour movement had the best op-
portunity in 50 years to transform not
merely an industrial situation and win
NEXT BRANCH an important battle for workers in
MEETING: struggle, but an opportunity to change
the government of the day”
“The trouble with the Labour Party leader-
TH ship and the trade union leadership, they're
TUESDAY 15 quite willing to applaud millions on the
SEPTEMBER 2009 streets of the Philippines or in Eastern
(NOTE CHANGE OF DAY!) Europe, without understanding the need to
also produce millions of people on the
streets of Britain”
‘THE RAILWAY
“There's a feeling that strength is deter-
TAVERN’ mined by the size of a union. That clearly
ANGEL LANE is nonsense”
“Yet what you need is not marches, demon-
STRATFORD strations, rallies or wide associations, all of
17:00 HOURS them are important. What you need is di-
rect action. The sooner people understand
that, the sooner we'll begin to change
things”

Arthur Scar-
gill, Presi-
dent, Na-
tional Union
of Mine-
workers


ber 2009

ed other
the eco-

best op-
orm not
and win
rkers in
o change

y leader-
p, they're
s on the
Eastern
e need to
e on the

is deter-
at clearly

, demon-
ons, all of
eed is di-
nderstand
o change

Scar-
Presi-
Na-
Union


The Secretary introduced Sister Janine Booth, Stations Functional Council Rep on London
Underground, Secretary of the RMT London Transport Regional Council, and author of the
new book, ‘Guilty and Proud of it: Poplar’s Rebel Councillors and Guardians 1919-25
discussing the significance of the London Borough of Poplar Rates’ Strike of 1921 (and the
imprisonment of Councillors who refused to uphold unjust and oppressive laws and went to
jail rather than betray the people who elected them) and its’ relevance today, and to update
the Branch on its proposal to jointly affiliate to LTRC as well as the London & Anglia Re-
gional Council, to present proposed changes to the RMT Rule Book to be heard at the Spe-
cial General Meeting to be held in Doncaster on Friday 6th November 2009, and to request
that this Branch supports these Rule changes.

LONDON TRANSPORT PROPOSED RULE CHANGES WITHIN THE R.M.T.
REGIONAL COUNCIL–
BRANCH AFFILIATION Four proposed rule changes designed to improve communication, democracy and rep-
resentation within the Union. Branches with no delegates like this one can send in a
For East London Rail Branch to written statement of support which must be read out according to Rule.
jointly affiliate to both the LTRC as The age restriction on AGM delegate eligibility to be reduced from five years to three,
hopefully increasing the number of newer and younger members;
well as London & Anglia would be The Rule Book provides less than a month to enter amendments to Resolutions before
beneficial not just to the LOROL the AGM, so adding an extra week would allow all Branches who meet four-weekly,
members of this Branch but for TfL like his one, to be guaranteed the chance to have a Branch meeting to discuss and pro-
members within the LTRC too. It pose amendments, which is not necessarily the case now;
would provide greater unity and bar- The Council of Executives should recognise a ‘Strike Committee’ of members when
gaining power, as well as being in involved in a dispute and would organise the election of this Committee. The purpose
line with Union policy on parity of of the Committee would not be to make final decisions, the authority to do that would
esteem between staff doing the same remain with the Executive Council, but to organise focussed and cohesive activity,
job for different rates and conditions propaganda, and take recommendations to the Executive. This would guarantee better
within the two Companies, and help communication between the Executive Council and the members in dispute and would
ensure any decision made by them would be the wishes of the members. It would also
promote equality of promotion and prevent the Executive being blamed for ‘unpopular’ decisions. The difference between
transfer for staff. It is also in accor- what this Rule Change would produce and now is that instead of ad hoc meetings of
dance with the Rule Book which DFC etc at Unity House, such meetings and their purpose would be laid down in Rule.
instructs Branches that are a member Delegates to the AGM are currently elected on Regional Block votes, which effec-
of one Regional Council that if they tively means that smaller Branches like this one have no real chance of having their
have members within London Trans- own delegate unless they are able to persuade larger Branches to support their dele-
port, they must affiliate to the gate. But if the number of delegates were increased from 65 to 100 this would improve
LTRC. It is a very active Council, members’ representation at a stroke. And Branches with over 500 members would
with training days for activists and elect their delegate directly from the Branch (meaning their delegate could speak di-
Rep’s, a web-site, recruitment days, rectly for them) - so they have their own delegate. Their block vote would then be de-
creased by 500 per delegate, which would give smaller Branches much more chance of
so would be beneficial for the mem- having their own delegates elected.
bers of this Branch.


ber 2009

on London
uthor of the
s 1919-25’,
21 (and the
and went to
d to update
Anglia Re-
at the Spe-
d to request

M.T.
racy and rep-
send in a

years to three,

utions before
-weekly,
cuss and pro-

embers when
The purpose
do that would
sive activity,
arantee better
ute and would
It would also
ence between
meetings of
own in Rule.
which effec-
having their
ort their dele-
ould improve
mbers would
uld speak di-
d then be de-
ore chance of


‘IMPOSED ROSTER’ THROWN
OUT
The Branch was pleased to learn of a victory in
the face of an attempt to impose rosters on sta-
tion staff on the GOB Line which involved the
removal of the one long weekend staff had. After
tough negotiations at a local level the ‘new’ ros-
ter was withdrawn and the status quo main-
tained. The Branch noted that LOROL are now
aware of our members’ strength and willingness
to fight (following last years’ successful dispute)
and no doubt this contributed to their change of
heart. The Branch congratulated all those in-
volved.
ADVERTISING HOARDINGS
Concern was raised over the erection of new adver- ‘NEW CONTRACTS’ REJECTED
tising boards at most stations on the line, because
due to their size, structure and positioning, they Concern was raised at a recent attempt by
may constitute a safety issue. It was proposed that LOROL to impose new contracts on staff which
the GOB Line H&S Rep Bro. Tatum investigates had some subtle, but important differences re-
this and reports back to the Branch whilst taking garding rest-day pay rates among other things.
any measure necessary with the Company. However this was also fought at a local level and
thrown out, to be replaced by the issue of Job
Descriptions. This is what should have been is-
sued in the first place- not a new contract- and
what staff have been waiting eighteen months
STAFF ACCOMMODATION for.

The new staff accommodation is now generally com-
plete and greatly improved. There appears to be an
issue with some toilet doors which open out-wards
together which has in fact already led to bruises if That Bro. Brian Whitehead (the current holder
both opened at the same time. Although the Branch of the position) is the only candidate who has
appreciates the new accommodation, it was noted sent a personal letter to this Branch requesting
that this was both no less than what members’ de- nomination, and in consideration of his current
served and were entitled to, and also only achieved excellent record in the position, especially re-
after the threat of action last year. garding his support in the build up to last years’
LOROL dispute, and the fact that he has always
shown himself willing to support and visit the
branch, East London Rail Branch nominates
Bro. Whitehead for the above position.
Proposed: E. Shine
ELECTION OF RELIEF Seconded: D. Cooper
Passed Unanimously.
REGIONAL OR-
GANISER (SOUTH)


ber 2009

ROWN

ictory in
s on sta-
olved the
ad. After
new’ ros-
main-
are now
illingness
dispute)
hange of
those in-

CTED
empt by
aff which
ences re-
r things.
evel and
e of Job
been is-
and
months

nt holder
who has
questing
current
ially re-
st years’
as always
visit the
ominates


NEW REPRESENTATIVES

CONDUCTORS– STRATFORD DEPOT:

Bro. Dean Cooper was nominated your new
Health & Safety Rep. The Company have
been informed and Dean can be contacted
on:

07795 237 280

ALL GRADES– GOSPEL OAK/ BARKING
ROUTE
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE TRADE UNION
MOVEMENT, working class education has been a high
priority– from the founding of the Workers’ Educational Sis. Rosa-Lee Watson has been elected our
Association in 1903, to the more modern invention of the Branch’s Union Learning Representative.
Union Learning Representative. Since 1999 these Reps She will be maintaining a high profile in this
have been paving the way for members to be able to ac- new role and can be contacted on:
cess the basic right of obtaining knowledge. These Reps
work hard to break down the barriers to learning and em- 07884 375 084
power
ulr@live.co.uk

members to address their own skills gap and to continue to learn throughout their lives.
From April 2003, ULR’s were given statutory rights at work equivalent to Health & Safety Reps. These
rights include reasonable paid time off to carry out trade union duties such as assessing training needs, ar-
ranging training, promoting learning, and consulting the employer on these needs.
The major focus of a learning Rep are skills for life, which are the maths, English, and IT skills needed to do
our jobs, run our homes, manage our money, and enjoy a social life. They are also key skills needed to get
involved in the community (including a Trade Union) and are essential to health and safety. As Union
Learning Reps are in such a position of trust this makes them ideally placed to encourage colleagues to
come forward without embarrassment at their perceived level of education.
Reps support and encourage members in continuing to expand their knowledge and follow their interests;
this could be anything from learning British Sign Language to taking a University degree. Such skills newly
acquired from Union Learning might enable members to get promotion at work, solve problems, and make
sound financial decisions.
Together with employers, education providers, and the TUC, the railway Union Learning have made steps
to overcome barriers to learning faced by members– like shift work– and have provided thousands of high
quality learning and training opportunities.
LEARNING REPS ARE NOW STANDING PROUDLY SIDE BY SIDE STAFF REPS AND
HEALTH AND SAFETY REPS TO MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE A FAIRER, SAFER, AND NOW
SMARTER WORKPLACE!

The Railway Tavern Public House (Conservatory room), Angel Lane,
7 Stratford, London E15… CONTACT THE SECRETARY FOR DETAILS

ber 2009

EPOT:

ur new
have
acted

ARKING

ted our
ntative.
e in this

These
eds, ar-

d to do
d to get
Union
gues to

terests;
newly
d make

e steps
of high

AND
NOW


THE FOLLOWING BRANCHES IN THE REGION HAVE ALSO NOMINATED DER-
RICK MARR TO BE THE FUTURE REGIONAL ORGANISER FOR LONDON AND AN-

YOU MAY CONSIDER THE REGIONAL ORGANISER’S ELECTION TO BE A FREE
BUFFET... AND IN SUCH A BUFFET, YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF!!!
CHOOSE THE BIGGEST, TASTIEST, AND FATTEST MORSELS... HELP YOURSELF!
HELP YOURSELF AT WORK AND VOTE DERRICK
MARR AS LEAD OFFICER FOR THIS REGION
NEXT BRANCH MEETING:
TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2009, 1700 HOURS:
The Railway Tavern Public House (Conservatory room), Angel Lane,
Stratford, London E15… CONTACT THE SECRETARY FOR DETAILS.
8

ber 2009

AN-

ELF!

ne,

Newsletter: August, 2009

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