Defend Andy: Metronet Raises The Stakes

Metronet not only continues to victimise RMT rep Andy Littlechild, it has also turned its sights on several other reps too. The company's intention could not be more obvious: to clear the decks of assertive, effetive union reps so as to attack working conditions unchallenged. That's why must all rally round Andy and the others.

The root of the action against Andy lies in a row over PPE. After decades of fighting to the right to adequate PPE, in recent years the unions have had to demand a rational approach to it, preventing employers ladening workers down with excessive, unnecessary kit. You don't want to walk round like a Ghostbuster if you don't even need half the stuff you are wearing or carrying.

So Andy and other reps successfully fought for a policy of PPE appropriate for the specific job - after all, a blanket policy is a lazy policy.

For a particular job that Andy was working on, the risk assessment agreed between management and unions reps was that hard hats were not required. Then a manager decided to change this unilaterally and insist that everyone wear a hard hat. Andy rightly refused to do so, as two principles were at stake: not having to wear unnecessary kit; and the right for union reps to be involved in risk assessments.

So Metronet management hauled Andy in for a fact-finding interview, tried to stop his rep speaking, issued him with a suspension letter that read more like a charge sheet, then kicked him out onto the streets at 3am.

RMT is balloting all its members on Metronet for strike action to defend Andy; and at the same time is balloting Metronet signal staff for strike action against attempts to impose new anti-social rosters and reduce maintenance frequencies.

Both ballots close on 15 October, and it is essential that we get the biggest possible Yes vote. Activists are already organising leafleting and workplace meetings.