‘The bullying and intimidation of our members’ representatives by STM Security, is utterly deplorable,’ said Bob Crow yesterday.
He added: ‘It is the issue at the heart of this long-running dispute.
‘It represents a pre-meditated assault on this trade union in a desperate attempt to try and undermine RMT’s growing strength on this contract.’
The RMT General Secretary was speaking ahead of today’s strike by Travel Safe security and safety staff employed by STM Security Group on London Overground services.
The RMT members are striking against bullying and harassment and an attempt to impose workplace changes without agreement.
In December, the RMT suspended a campaign of strike action by STM staff to allow the negotiating team to begin talks with London Overground, with a view to bringing the Travel Safe Officer work back in-house.
Nearly three months later the fact is that despite the promise of talks, London Overground Rail Operators Ltd (LOROL) has refused to meet with RMT on this issue.
It is now clear to the union that STM and LOROL deliberately mislead RMT, to stop the strike action in the run up to Christmas.
The RMT added that: ‘Management at STM still have a cavalier attitude towards bullying and harassment and are refusing to address the concerns of our members in a proper and professional manner.
‘The Executive of RMT has therefore decided to call further strike action to force management to honour their commitments, call off the campaign of harassment and address the issues in the workplace.’
Striking Travel Safe workers will be picketing TFL Headquarters in Victoria from 9am to 11am today.
Union leader Crow said: ‘RMT is demanding that London Overground, which tolerates STM as one of its key contractors, intervene to stop the disgraceful activities of this outfit and we repeat our demand for these key safety services to be brought in-house rather than subbed out to these cowboys.
‘We were given the impression in the run up to Christmas that LOROL were going to do just that but it is now clear that their warm words were just a delaying tactic to buy time during the festive season.
‘RMT LOROL safety and security members have shown their determination to stand up to the bullies and union-busters in the unanimous strike vote last year and the strike action in November, and the whole union stands with them in this struggle for justice.
‘RMT remains available for talks aimed at addressing the range of outstanding issues and it is down to all parties to honour their commitments and take the action required to resolve this dispute.’
