BASTARD tube drivers going on strike again

[fromheretomaternity]

Following on from the teachers strike thread (which I don't really have an opinion on):

Tube drivers are going on strike EVERY DAY week beginning 27 June, causing massive disruption to all of us unlucky enough to be reliant on the underground.

All over the dismissal of one worker. I don't know the ins and outs of the case but as this is just the latest in a whole series of strikes it's hard not to come to the conclusion that what this is really about is Bob Crow being a total c*&$

Any other Londoners out there totally fed up with this?

[nancy75]

I hate bob crow. £140k per year, lives in a council house and thinks he's a man of the people.

[meditrina]

The strike dates are:
Between 21.01 hours on Sunday 19th June 2011 and 03.00 hours on Monday 20th June 2011.
Between 21.01 hours on Monday 27th June and 11.59 hours on Tuesday 28th June.
Between 12.00 hours on Wednesday 29th June and 11.59 hours on Thursday 30th June.
Between 12.00 hours on Friday 1st July and 21.00 hours on Friday 1st July.

Is this likely to leave trainsin all the wrong places, so the effect will be for longer?

It's going to complicate things for Wimbledon too.

[nancy75]

Wimbledon is why they are doing it - Its a warning of what they could do next year for the olympics - I'm sure i heard they want a sum of money paid to them now so that they won't strike during the olympics.

[delurking]

This is nothing like the teacher's strike.

This is pure extortion by the Bob Crow and the RMT to get bigger payouts for the Olympics. Tube drivers are paid £45k by TfL already, in what is still a closed shop. Lines like the Victoria are fully automated and yet the RMT requires a "driver" despite them doing nothing at all.

London needs to stand up these nasty people and break them. The executives at TfL should be fired for allowing this situation to even exist. They should be training replacement staff so that they can fire the striking RMT members. It would be hugely disruptive but we can't keep being held hostage.

[WinkySlink]

From what i can glean, the issue here is that the driver feels he has a pretty good case that he was dismissed due to his position as union rep, or some such. Apparently a judge has suggested his case is likely to be upheld.
In my opinion, it is dangerous for companies to dismiss staff for union affiliations, as most workers benefit greatly from the work of unions...holidays, health and safety, and many other employee protections. The emphasis on the unions is perhaps a little unfair, as the employers have been given a clear indication that their case is ilkely to fail, so why dont they reinstate him? If they do, the strike will be called off immediately, according to Crow.
I have to confess i have only seen tv news coverage on itv, so might not have the full picture.

[nancy75]

They striked before because a worker was sacked for leaving the tube doors open, and then pulling out of the station - on more than one occasion - they wanted him to have his job back.

The case going on in June is due to go to tribunal, but the union don't want to wait for the result

[meditrina]

If there is a tribunal imminent, then strike action is crazy.

If the tribunal ruled in the driver's favour, then strike action might be warranted if he is not reinstated. But it's not got to that yet.

[nancy75]

they want him reinstated now, before the tribunal which is , I think in July.
The man is question is on full pay of £800 per week while this is going on (I just heard bob crow say that on the news)

[meditrina]

I don't think it's reasonable to demand reinstatement before a tribunal.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

This is the kind of strike that gives legitimate industrial action a bad name.

[Ryoko]

I think they have a case this time round for doing it, the first hearing has said he was wrongly dismissed.

I thought he disabled the drivers door mechanism so he could drive with the door open because the cab was too hot, not driving in and out of stations with the passenger carriages doors open?.

[meditrina]

BBC article - the first hearing seems to have considered only partial evidence, and ruled only that his pay should be reinstated pending the full hearing (as he might win). That has happened.

I do not think it is reasonable to reinstate before the full hearing, nor do I think it is right to strike before then either (as a strike would only be justified if a tribunal's ruling was not complied with.

[chipstick10]

Bob Crow makes my blood pressure shoot through the roof. I cant describe the anger he makes me feel. His cocky face and that photo of him in the paper today with his pitbull. Omg.

[cookcleanerchaufferetc]

The thread title says it all!

[meditrina]

The latest iteration of this on the BBC website has the LU boss stating publicly that if the tribunal finds in the driver's favour he will be immediately reinstated/re-engaged, and that he's also writing to the union about it. But Bob Crow won't call off the strike because: "RMT has not received any letter giving cast-iron guarantees on the re-employment of Arwyn Thomas. For us to change our current position there must be an indication from the company that if Arwyn wins his case then re-engagement will take place".

I know it's generally better to have things in writing - but a public on the record statement is a better guarantee than anything.

The epithet in the title is an understatement.

[telsa]

I am offended by your title. I support those who are taking action against management, who act as viciously as this class-war fuelled government. Way to go Crow. The background: "Management agreed to talks to resolve Arwyn?s case, so the RMT called off planned strikes. But bosses instructed their legal team to only talk about a financial settlement, which Arwyn has rejected. The union estimates bosses have spent £250,000 on victimising Arwyn, who won an interim relief hearing as part of his Employment Tribunal and is on full pay despite his dismissal. .. Tube bosses have targeted reps because they want to weaken the RMT in order to drive through cuts."
This is also about defending a service, which the bosses are determined to make worse for all, while the prices escalate.

[meditrina]

His tribunal - which will rule on his reinstatement - is due before the end of June. It is entirely correct to have a tribunal to ensure a fair hearing.

It is totally unreasonable to strike BEFORE his case has been properly heard.

Could you link about the rejection of the "financial offer" - it has been reported elsewhere that this was accepted and he is back on full pay. Also, the Union appears to have agreed to call off the strike when they get the written version if LU's public undertaking to reinstate if the driver wins. Are you saying Crow (directly quoted on BBC) was lying?

[Callisto]

Telsa - class-war fuelled government? Jesus, what century do you live in? I really hope the Tories break the unions again - why should they hold the entire London workforce to ransom over some bloke who was doing something wrong in the first place?

[FridayFanjoFun]

'I really hope the Tories break the unions again'

Bonkers. What decade do YOU live in?

[telsa]

The century you are in Callisto - are you too dumb to see that what you just said is exactly an expression of class wa?. The Tory-Libs are involved in a massive transfer of wealth from the poorer members of society to the rich, the class they represent. All in it together? Hah!

[dinkystinky]

This is an opportunistic strike - the case hasnt been fully decided and they should wait until it has been decided to determine if a strike is appropriate or not.

[wannaBe]

Bob crow is revolting.

Tube drivers are lazy overpaid workshy individuals who strike at the drop of a hat, and incidentally usually on a monday or a friday, coincidence much?

[FridayFanjoFun]

Christ, the Daily Mail morons are taking over MN!