RMT station staff at Willesden Green station group to strike over aggressive and bullying management

Publication Date: April 7 2009

AROUND 100 station staff in the Willesden Green station group on the London Tube’s Jubilee Line are to strike for 24 hours from 18:59 on Wednesday, (April 8) over a breakdown in relations sparked by aggressive and bullying local management.

RMT members at Willesden Green, Dollis Hill, Kilburn, West Hampstead, Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage and St John’s Wood stations voted overwhelmingly for strike action after LUL failed to take seriously complaints of bullying and intimidation.

The station staff involved will not book on for shifts that commence between 18:59 on Wednesday and 18:58 the following day.

“There has been a surge in complaints about the complete disregard of attendance and disciplinary procedures at this station group, but LUL has so far buried its head in the sand,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“Our local reps have been unable to make any headway locally in dealing with blatant bullying, and the strike vote makes clear that our members have had enough.

“The manager involved was moved from another location after similar complaints nearly led to strikes five years ago, but it seems that senior management are now backing him. [see links to press reports below]

“We are even hearing reports that LUL has been threatening new starters with the sack if they take strike action. That is illegal, and LUL knows it.

“We are available for talks to sort this problem out, but blatantly bullying management is not acceptable,” Bob Crow said.

ends

Notes to editors: links to 2004 articles carried by the Evening Standard:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-15038148-details/Tube+strikes+off+as+union+gets+its+way/article.do