Annie Mole's, webmaster of Going Underground, daily web log (blog).
If you like this you'll LURVE One Stop Short of Barking, THE fun and informative BOOK about travelling on the London Underground.
There will be two ballots, one among service control centre staff employed
by London Underground and another with ticket maintenance workers belonging to private
contractor Cubic Transportation Services. Apparently Cubic have rejected a claim for an Olympic bonus payment. They have "point blank refused to discuss RMT’s pay claim and an Olympic bonus. The
company have instead said that they are not prepared to give an Olympic
bonus, have offered a paltry 2.5 % pay rise and have total rejected
totally RMT claims for a shorter working week"
Bob Crow of the RMT said: "Both of these disputes are about
protecting our members' jobs, working conditions and standards of living
in the face of aggressive and bullying management tactics that leave us
no choice but to ballot for action.
"RMT remains available for talks but no-one should under-estimate the level of anger amongst both of these groups of workers."
The ballot result will be announced in June with the RMT expecting members to back the strike call.
Update 30th May 2012 - RMT & London Underground have agreed an Olympic pay deal. The RMT union said drivers could receive up to £1,000, with other
members of staff in line for up to £850 for the 'massive additional
pressures' they will face during the period around the Games.
Howard Collins, London Underground chief operating officer, said: “I
am pleased that we have now got agreement from all four unions on our
proposals for how we can fairly reward staff over the London 2012 Games".
"The magic, mystery & sometimes maddening shortcomings of London's Tube are documented with love, enthusiasm & sometimes despair by its unofficial social historian." The Guardian
