TFL PENSION FUND – PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) PROTECTION

My Ref: MRP 2/1                                                                     

 

31st August 2023

 

Circular Num: NP/154/23

 

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REPRESENTATIVES

ALL UNDERGROUND AND FORMER LT EMPLOYERS

 

Dear Colleagues,

TFL PENSION FUND – PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) PROTECTION

The following resolution was submitted by the London Transport Regional Council on 7th August 2023:

“This branch notes the NEC decision to suspend LUL Strike Action starting the 23rd of July 2023 in the campaign to defend job, pensions, and agreements.

We note that part of this agreement to suspend relies on a letter from the HMG stating there are a number of members for whom HMG afforded statutory protected status because of the London Underground PPP arrangements. We recognise there are complexities around this cohort of members and will work with TfL to understand this further’. 

This refers to ex-Metronet and ex-Tube Lines members and refers to the raft of protections these staff were afforded when they were privatised. This protection is commonly known as the PPP Code of Best Practice. There is concern that this complexity refers to the GLA Act 1999 and the LT Pensions Arrangement Order 2000 amongst other legislation. We therefore demand:

  1. A legal opinion on what protections, aside from the Protected Pension status is at risk (as described in the PPP Code of Best Practice).
  2. That LUL & HMG confirmed that protected status for all terms and condition are retained.
  3. A leaflet is produced detailing the PPP Protections that are potentially at risk
  4. That if these guarantees are not forthcoming the NEC works with the LTRC to campaign and raise awareness of the risks we face”

In consideration your National Executive Committee on 18th August 2023 made the following decision:

“We note the resolution from the London Transport Regional Council.

We thank them for the resolution. In line with the resolution, we instruct the General Secretary to carry out the following instructions:

  • Seek legal opinion on what protections are at risk
  • To seek confirmation that the protective status of these members is retained
  • To create a leaflet detailing PPP protection that are potentially at risk
  • That if these protections are no forthcoming, that the General Secretary launches a campaign to raise awareness at the risks we face, with the London Transport Regional Council to assist.

Branches and Regional Councils to be informed by email”

I will keep you advised of future developments.

Yours sincerely

 

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Michael Lynch

General Secretary