A sustained union campaign, including a strike ballot amongst Piccadilly Line drivers, has secured the reinstatement of a sacked worker.
The driver was sacked for allegedly answering his phone while in the cab, even though witnesses attest that he handed over control of the train before doing so (for the background to his story, click here).
The driver, who has been out of work since May, has been reinstated as a CSA. London Underground had previously insisted that reinstatement was out of the question; another example of how union pressure can change the balance of forces and force management's hand. What was once impossible suddenly becomes possible.
RMT drivers are still in dispute with Piccadilly Line management around a variety of issues and may still take action. This driver's reinstatement should provide inspiration for a number of other ongoing reinstatement struggles across the job. Solidarity wins!
