Are the bosses stringing us along?

From Tubeworker

Rail union RMT has suspended strikes planned for March, after London Underground (LUL) agreed to further talks.

The decision, taken by the union’s National Executive Committee, followed a meeting of driver reps from depots across the network. Those who supported the decision to suspend the action argued that management’a offer of further talks represented a qualitative shift in the company’s position. Whereas previously they had claimed their “four-day week” scheme was non-negotiable, they’re now saying they will negotiate after all.

A minority of reps disagreed, arguing that strikes should be suspended only when we’ve won concrete concessions, and not simply for the promise of more talks. LUL previously agreed to suspend implementation of the scheme in November, while a round of dispute-resolution talks were held. RMT held off from calling strikes at that time in order to allow the talks to take place. But LUL eventually refused to make any changes.

The company is under more pressure now, with strikes in April and May, and additional dates announced in June, looming. But the concern is that LUL can string out talks for weeks, meanwhile continuing to work on implementation in the background. Once a strike is demobilised, it’s harder to build back up for action. It feels a little too much like the “Duke of York” strategy that has dogged RMT disputes for decades.

Repeat

Here’s an article from Tubeworker from over 20 years ago:

“The members voted 80% yes to strike action. [Reps] voted unanimously to put the first strike date on 10 June. The mandate could not have been clearer. And yet the RMT leadership has reneged on that for no good reason: [the strike] was called off for nothing more than further talks [...] We are sick and tired of years-long negotiations where management graciously acknowledge our aspirations but deliver nothing.

“[...] Bob Crow said: ‘LUL has indicated that it is now prepared to negotiate seriously on all of our aspirations on pay and conditions’.

“But why trust LUL? For years, they have said that they are ‘negotiating seriously’, but have left issues outstanding for years and years!”

It sounds depressingly familiar. But we are where we are. The key thing now is to ensure that upcoming negotiations are as transparent as possible. Reps and members need comprehensive information about what is being discussed in the talks, so we can make properly informed decisions about whether LUL is negotiating seriously and likely to make concessions, or just stringing us along.