The RMT has said that talks with London Underground aimed at resolving a dispute over Olympic ‘reward and recognition’ have ‘broken down’.
The union said that LU ‘are demanding that staff be prepared to work anytime, anyplace, anywhere at the drop of a hat, even attempting to force staff to work in safety-critical roles in unfamiliar locations that they are not properly trained for’.
London Underground said talks had ‘progressed well’ with three other Tube unions – Unite, Aslef and TSSA – with talks being held again today at Acas.
Howard Collins, LU Chief Operating Officer, said:
“Over the past days we have held in-depth talks with all four Tube unions at ACAS, seeking to give any clarification needed concerning our fair Olympic pay and recognition offer.
“Those proposals would see station, maintenance, service control staff and operational managers receive up to £850 subject to attendance, customer satisfaction scores and working flexibly for defined periods in order to deliver a successful Games.
“The RMT’s leadership demanded payments to all grades of staff regardless of whether they will be asked to work flexibly during the Games and rejected temporary changes to working arrangements which would enable us to achieve a flexible workforce.”
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“Management wants the unlimited ability to change working patterns, locations and extend hours at the drop of a hat and to demand that staff take on safety-critical roles in unfamiliar workplaces which they aren’t trained to work in.
“This dispute will now be put back in front of the RMT executive which will consider our next move.”
