DURING THE COURSE of last week the management of London Underground Limited (LUL) made the first move to impose the next stage of one person operation (OPO). This is being done at New Cross depot on the East London line without agreement with the unions, sharing with no loss of pay to save jobs and protect operators from the massively increased stress and strain of OPO.
In addition, Ilallacement completely bypassed highly structured negotiating machinery inherited from LT which is composed sectional councils on which management and staff representatives have operated the classic Whitley Council manner since the 1930s. -onsensus, supplemented by une occasiona tussle fought strictly according to buccusocuy uc.s oc ing rapidly replaced with no-holds-barred confrontation.
that Tory it s Ccai who have been arguing for jobtransport minister Nicholas Ridley expects his new team to earn their recent massive pay increase. Directors have received rises between 10.5 and 77 per cent over the sums by their GLC. appointed predecessors. Although Hallazclichl have made their intentions clear the implementation process could take at least another three weekse. complete.
The NUR national executive have responded rapidly by instructing its members not to cooperate with any moves to implement OPO until such time be reached with the unions. In addition has stated 102l any further Move.
management will result in the immediate Issuing of a strike instruction to all NUR's 15,000 members on LUL.
NUR The position was reported to wellattended and angry meeting of the traincrews at the Cross Depot which finds itself in the front line of plans to slash 6000 underground obs next three years. During the meeting a vital message of solidarity was telephoned through from a meeting of LUL signal operators who voted unanimously to support any strike call over the issue OI OPO defence of jobs.
LUL made their move at this time not only because they fully intend to force the issue if necessary bul also le test the strength and resolve of lne umons in aavanice pay talks being held this week. Threats Management have threatened a nil wage increase plus the withdrawal of a 7½ pe cent produc tivity bonus being paid the moment LUL workers in the train grades of i promimite as result limited introduction of OPO last autumn. Of course they Southampton SE London SW London Swansea York Dundee TOTAL could dangle the 4.95 per cent given to BR — as long there total cooperation on all productivity.
In their recent communication . with the unions convening the talks they explicitly included reference to 'major items of productivity'. But outside of a total capitulation by the NUR there is little chance of such coUnfortunately it is now clear that the head office executive committe of ASLEI are no longer opposing the introduction of OPO in any way.
ACTiON SOCiAlist