Thought Metronet workers had won a deal with the superbly-effective strike action last Autumn? Well yes, they did, but now the union is having to defend it against a management apparently determined to squirm out of it.

TfL has refused to meet with Metronet union reps, even though they are supposed to be our new boss. Metronet is no claiming that the 'PPP code of practice' on employment protection does not apply to people employed after privatisation, which means that they could face compulsory redundancies. And while there are supposed to be no more transfers or reorganisations, Metronet's managers are busy talking amongst themselves, and with other companies, about exactly that.

On TfL pensions and travel passes, Metronet persist with their silly claim that it is beyond their power to give them to us. This despite the fact that Metronet still has its own section of the pension fund, and TfL travel facilities have only recently been given to London Overground staff. We wonder - could it be the case that Metronet wants to get rid of staff either through redundancy or transfer, and is not prepared to pay for benefits for people they are about to dump?!