RMT Strike Ballot over Driverless Tube Trains

The RMT have just announced they will ballot their members for strike action  in protest at plans to test driverless trains on the London Underground.  The union said it will initially ballot members who are set to take part in the trials, but RMT leader Bob Crow warned that other workers could be balloted as well.


Crow said: "RMT reiterates this union's complete opposition to driverless trains. Every train must have a driver, to ensure the safe and effective running of the Underground.

"Plans to scrap drivers or reduce their driving duties are risking safety, services and jobs and are motivated by saving money and undermining trade unionism.

"We will be campaigning for a massive yes vote in this ballot and with further packages of Tube staffing and service cuts expected to be unveiled by the mayor and Transport for London shortly, RMT is on high alert to use every weapon in our armoury to resist attacks on our members and the safe running of the Tube network."

Earlier this year in July the RMT said that London Underground had a secret document "“Deep Tube Railway – Generic Operations and Maintenance Concept – 2020” which  planned to move the entire Jubilee line to driverless operation within three years, with trials starting later this year, and that other lines would  follow.  However TfL denied these trials.

LU's Gareth Powell stressed that consultation with staff would always take place before driverless trains were introduced: "We will always consult with staff on any changes and, because of the timescales needed to develop and introduce new trains and to phase out older fleets, we will continue to need drivers well beyond the point when driverless operation could come into effect."

Are the RMT now proposing strike action for plans that currently don't exist?

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London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, September 27, 2012 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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