London Underground has sacked Bakerloo driver Eamonn Lynch - for doing what he was told!
In an outrageous miscarriage of justice, Eamonn was summarily dismissed yesterday. His crime? When given an erroneous instruction by the control centre, he obeyed it.
Now, what do you think would have happened if he'd refused it? We reckon he would have been disciplined for that too!
Eamonn is RMT health & safety rep at Elephant & Castle, and an effective rep too. So it seems pretty clear to us that management wanted rid of him, and whether he had followed the instruction or not, he would have been shown the door. That this is victimisation is also illustrated by the fact that a Piccadilly line driver who did the same thing a few months back got only a 12-month warning, not a P45.
Eamonn's RMT branch has already submitted a request to the Executive for an industrial action ballot. The Executive should agree this and implement it without delay. When it comes to Eamonn's appeal, the company must know loud and clear that drivers are taking action and will continue to do so unless this sacking is reversed.
Unfortunately, LU has got away with sacking several Bakerloo drivers over the last year or two, and the union has been unable to save them. This time it has to be different. We need to draw a line in the sand. ASLEF drivers should also take part in the action.
Defend Eamonn Lynch - or next time, it could be you.
Comments
EAMONN LYNCH UNFAIRLY SACKED BAKERLOO LINE DRIVER
I have a personal interest in this case. He is my brother. Eamonn was in ASLEF for years and in common with all drivers has very close friends in both ASLEF and RMT. I will firstly present the Company view: Eamonn Lynch is an outspoken, determined, and vigilant arbitrator on issues relating to Health and Safety in the Workplace. RMT will not argue with that. Eamonn put his neck on the line when he took the RMT Health and Safety position, but he was prepared to do that, every picket line, every battle against the LU cuts, he was there. OK he is my brother, but I passionately plea you all to fight his case. He has been driving (car, the buses and Bakerloo Line) since he was 17 years of age. and not one blemish on his record. What happened that day I am not allowed to comment on.I can however ask a question? Popular, established Health and Safety Bakerloo Line Driver gets sacked under dubious circumstances? hmmmmm. Stand up for Eamonn if you can. I know it is tough financially at the moment, but do not lose this intelligent caring Union Man to the cull that is happening throughout the London Underground
Hear hear
Hear hear.
The outrageous latest news
The outrageous latest news is that London Underground has upheld Eamonn's sacking following his appeal. Evidently, this company believes that it is above the law, and cares more about picking off union reps than about any kind of justice.
There's another special branch meeting on Monday, and the ballot result is in on Tuesday - so let's give London Underground something to really think about!