Substantial progress made in Metronet dispute as assurances demanded by RMT are confirmed by TfL
RMT: April 18 2008
SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS has been made towards settling the Metronet dispute tonight, after the Tube’s biggest union received written confirmation from Transport for London of assurances given by the Mayor of London.
The development follows RMT's decision to call a 48-hour strike in the dispute over outsourcing of work and over pension rights and travel facilities.
"We now have in writing undertakings that when the Metronet contracts are taken back in-house by TfL there will be no outsourcing, and that all Metronet staff will be entitled to join the TfL pension fund and enjoy the same travel facilities as other TfL employees," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said tonight.
"That marks substantial progress, and tonight's developments will be placed before the RMT executive on Monday, but on the basis of the written assurances received tonight I will be recommending that the dispute be ended.
"It is difficult to understand why these assurances could not have been given without us having to name strike dates.
"Our members are to be congratulated for the stand they have taken against the creation of a two-tier workforce and for their determination not to be made to pay the price for the collapse of the PPP and the greed of Metronet's shareholders," Bob Crow said.