Metronet workers strike on London Underground

Submitted by martin on 31 August, 2007 - 11:59

Metronet maintenance workers on the London Underground are scheduled to strike for 72 hours from 18:00 on September 3, and again from 18:00 on September 10 over jobs, transfers and pensions arising out of Metronet's collapse and its being placed in administration. the rail union RMT has also called a demonstration on 4 September, 11:30 to 13:00, at DFT, Marsham St, London SW1, to demand that the Metronet contracts be kept in the public sector.

The union reports: RMT has told LUL that unless it receives unconditional assurances that drivers will not be expected to drive trains that have not been fully prepared and inspected by qualified staff over tracks that have not been properly inspected in line with minimum standards the union will be in dispute.

"Train operators are obviously concerned that if Metronet staff do take action, the regular train preparations and track inspections will not be undertaken within usual timescales," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"Our members regard the current train-preparation and track-inspection procedures as minimum standards, and they are not prepared to see them diluted, temporarily or otherwise.

"I have told LUL that in the event of industrial action at Metronet, it is not acceptable for train operators to be asked to drive trains over track sections where either has not been the subject of the established preparation and checks, with or without dispensation from HMRI or the Chief Engineer.

"There is no way our members can be expected to put themselves or members of the public in danger, and I have made it clear to LUL that unless we receive the unconditional assurances we are seeking by 5pm today we will be in dispute," Bob Crow said.

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