RMT members including drivers, station staff and other LUL grades across the tube took 48 hours of strong industrial action. In many areas we were supported by ASLEF and TSSA members too.

Why did we strike?• We are against our bosses

cutting nearly a thousand jobs.

• We are against the contributions of nearly 1000 people being taken out of our pension pot.

• We are against cuts of £4.2bn being forced on London Underground that will affect us all.

• We realise it is better tofight now and stop LUL at the start of their attack, than to wait until it is the driver's job threatened , but cuts elsewhere have already taken place succesfully.

Many lines on the underground were suspended and all had big delays. Scores of stations closed as well – and this was in spite of managers being air lifted in to point passengers to the nearest bus.

However a few people did come into work. If you cross the picket line you are supporting our bossesand the Tory mayor and government in taking our pay, pension and benefits;and in making the tube a poorer public service.

LUL Wreck ACAS TalksIt was hoped that LUL management would be sensible and stop or suspend the devastating cuts planned so that our strike could be suspended. However, after 9 hours of talks London Underground offered to suspend

implementation for just 3 weeks if we offered to totally cancel our dispute.

This is an offer we could never accept – as if LU broke their promise, as they did with regards to a station by station review during previous talks, we would have to ballot members for further actiongiving them a clear run to start cutting our jobs.Read more on back page

Train Drivers Are Fit For The Fightback

Job For Life PromiseFor Drivers In Doubt

At the recent ACAS talks RMT negotiators asked for a guarantee of protected earnings for life for train drivers in relation to the £4.2bn cuts LUL plan to make. The response: nothing. This is in stark contrast toMike Brown's claim that every driver who wants, can stay as a driver. We assume this request was denied as management plan to come for our pay.

Strike dates - 21:00 hours on Monday 5th of May until 20:59 hours on Thursday 8th of May

ACAS Update

RMT presented to LUL some simple ways forward in talks at ACAS:

1. To enable proper consultation to take place (specifically, the public consultation voted for by the GLA and the station-by-station review promised in February), management would halt the implementation of their proposals until these consultations were complete.

2. That the company reconfirm its written statement made in February that the station-by-station review may result in some ticket offices staying open.

3. That the company give all our members in ALL GRADES (because all grades are affected by the

£4.2 billion cuts) proper protection of earnings thatwould be pensionable and for life.

RMT negotiators stated that if LUL agreed to these steps, we would recommend suspending our strike action starting on 5 May.

LUL stated that in return for three weeks of talks, it would pause its implementation of the cuts, but would require RMT to fully and permanently close our dispute. Management would expect RMT to effectively assist in processing the redundancies. They made no offer to protect earnings, saying nothing about our demand for all grades in LUL to be treated fairly and given proper protection. They said that the commitment they gave

in writing in February that some ticket offices could stay open no longer applied.

RMT is - as ever -available for talks at any time, including

between now and the startof the strike.

Read a full update from our Regional Organiser at www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk

Transport For All SupportTransport For All, an organisation which champions the cause of accessible transport in the capital, has voiced serious concerns about London Underground's cuts plan.

"Many disabled and older people, including those with a learning difficulty; visually impaired people and those who are simply unfamiliar with computers could find it difficult or impossible to use ticket machines – especially whenmaking more complicated requests"

TUC SupportTUC GS Frances O’Grady said: “Closing all London Underground ticket officesand cutting 1,000 tube staff will have a hugely detrimental impact on both regular passengers and tourists.”

Strike pay periodsThe strike date was set so it would take place over two pay periods (unless LUL decide to change the way they pay us). We also expect to get the CSS bonus which will help with the cost. If you have issues, please get in touch with your rep or branch who may be able to offer assistance.

Industrial Functional reps:Dean O'Hanlon - 07956 342235Will Reid - 07983 958 429Vaughan Thomas - 07720 297657

Health & Safety Functional reps:Jim McDaid - 07917 131692Nigel Eivers- 07961 141924Gary Fitzpatrick - 07790 135112

Get in touch