Platinum Jubilee Tube Strike

duncanp · 18 May 2022

Oh what a surprise.

The RMT have announced strike action at Euston and Green Park tube stations on Friday 3rd June, over allegations of a ".....toxic work atmosphere and bullying...."

What are the issues at Green Park and Euston, and why don't they exist at other stations?

Workplace bullying is a serious matter, but I do think there are better ways of dealing with it than going on strike.

Tube strike: Jubilee weekend walkout at two stations

TfL says it expects Euston and Green Park will both remain open in spite of the action on 3 June.

www.bbc.co.uk

Tube strike: Jubilee weekend walkout at two stations

London Underground workers based at two Tube stations are to strike for one day over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend in a row over bullying.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at Euston and Green Park will walk out on Friday 3 June.
General secretary Mick Lynch said those based at the two stations had "suffered years of sustained bullying and intimidation by a manager".
Transport for London (TfL) urged the union "not to take strike action".
The strike is on the same day as a service of thanksgiving being held at St Paul's Cathedral to commemorate the Queen's 70-year reign.
The Northern and Victoria lines both run through Euston station, while Green Park is served by the Victoria, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines.

While staff at only two stations are due to take action, Mr Lynch said the strike would "cause significant disruption to people wishing to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee".
"However, if Tube bosses do the right thing, and deal appropriately with the manager in question, we can find a just resolution to this dispute," he added.
A TfL spokesperson said: "We hold our people to high standards and ensure everyone is treated fairly.
"We're aware of this dispute and are carrying out an urgent review in a bid to resolve it."
The transport body has advised that if the action does go ahead there should be no effect on train services, although "we are reviewing what the likely impact will be at those stations".

RailUK Forums

bramling · 18 May 2022

duncanp said:
Oh what a surprise.

The RMT have announced strike action at Euston and Green Park tube stations on Friday 3rd June, over allegations of a ".....toxic work atmosphere and bullying...."

What are the issues at Green Park and Euston, and why don't they exist at other stations?

Workplace bullying is a serious matter, but I do think there are better ways of dealing with it than going on strike.

Tube strike: Jubilee weekend walkout at two stations

TfL says it expects Euston and Green Park will both remain open in spite of the action on 3 June.

www.bbc.co.uk

The issue at these two stations boils down to one issue only - the manager responsible for those two stations. From what I understand, the individual is notorious.

duncanp · 18 May 2022

bramling said:
The issue at these two stations boils down to one issue only - the manager responsible for those two stations. From what I understand, the individual is notorious.

There ought to be a proper procedure for dealing with individual managers like that who antagonise their staff like that, rather than going on strike.

Presumably London Underground have a workplace bullying policy, and a union such as the RMT could collect evidence of alleged bullying on behalf of their members and present it to senior management.

I would assume that the workplace bullying policy has procedures in place for investigating any allegations of bullying. Have these procedures been followed, and what has been the response of senior management?

I am not sure that a one day strike will actually resolve anything which couldn't be resolved by other means.

JonathanH · 18 May 2022

duncanp said:
I am not sure that a one day strike will actually resolve anything which couldn't be resolved by other means.

On the other hand, the threat of a strike gets more attention in the media than if the issue was dealt with behind the scenes - even if ultimately it doesn't happen, it effectively forces the issue in a way that nothing else seems to.

bramling · 18 May 2022

duncanp said:
There ought to be a proper procedure for dealing with individual managers like that who antagonise their staff like that, rather than going on strike.

Presumably London Underground have a workplace bullying policy, and a union such as the RMT could collect evidence of alleged bullying on behalf of their members and present it to senior management.

I would assume that the workplace bullying policy has procedures in place for investigating any allegations of bullying. Have these procedures been followed, and what has been the response of senior management?

I am not sure that a one day strike will actually resolve anything which couldn't be resolved by other means.

I think we’ve seen enough evidence over the years to show that TFL can’t be relied upon to follow their own procedures. I strongly suspect this is the root of the issue here too.

duncanp · 18 May 2022

bramling said:
I think we’ve seen enough evidence over the years to show that TFL can’t be relied upon to follow their own procedures. I strongly suspect this is the root of the issue here too.

From what I’ve heard, this individual is off the scale in terms of behaviour, and it speaks volumes that this clearly hasn’t been addressed by the policies which should exist.

Then TfL management need to get off their backsides and follow their own procedures. I can't help wondering if senior management "...working from home..." is part of the problem here, plus the usual HR attitude of burying their head in the sand, pretending the problem doesn't exist, and hoping it will go away.

THey could start by interviewing everyone who works at Green Park and Euston, in confidence and anonymously, to see what the issues are.

If most people think the manager concerned is a bully, then clearly there is a problem with the manager that needs to be addressed.

Action short of a strike, such as people refusing to co-operate with the manager and working to rule, would probably be more effective than a one day strike, especially if carried out over a longer period.

Kite159 · 18 May 2022

Makes a change about it not being about pay.

Any excuse from the RMT to cause hardship to those wanting to travel to London to celebrate the Queen's jubilee events, I'm surprised they didn't go for an all out strike over that weekend to try and get an inflation busting pay rise.

Lewlew · 18 May 2022

Kite159 said:
Makes a change about it not being about pay.

Any excuse from the RMT to cause hardship to those wanting to travel to London to celebrate the Queen's jubilee events, I'm surprised they didn't go for an all out strike over that weekend to try and get an inflation busting pay rise.

Strikes are very rarely about pay. Don't believe everything you read in the media.

Snow1964 · 18 May 2022

I wonder if the manager being complained about is an RMT member.

Would be rather ironic if calling a strike because of one of their members not doing what RMT would like

Drogba11CFC · 18 May 2022

Snow1964 said:
I wonder if the manager being complained about is an RMT member.

Would be rather ironic if calling a strike because of one of their members not doing what RMT would like

And then he gets sacked, so the RMT go on strike...

duncanp · 18 May 2022

Snow1964 said:
I wonder if the manager being complained about is an RMT member.

Would be rather ironic if calling a strike because of one of their members not doing what RMT would like

I would assume the manager is not an RMT member.

Simply because, if he was, an RMT official could talk to him privately, and try to mediate between him and the station staff under his command.

matt_world2004 · 18 May 2022

When I was inducted into an operational role at tfl . I was advised to be in a seperate trade union to my manager so there is no conflict of interest

So I am guessing that they are in seperate trade unions

endicomark69@g · 18 May 2022

Why is it no surprise that it's the Picc again........

If it's a Duty or Group level manager then RMT don't represent them - or above. Some that have gone through the ranks might have kept a nominal membership - it makes no sense to do so but I know of a person that did so to "hedge bets."

Unless this "Manager" is EXTREMELY well protected both organisationally and politically I can't see any reason why clear instances of bullying/harrasment wouldn't have been dealt with before this. In today's HR environment where everyone knows how to get hold of the Standard it's pretty unlikely that an old fashioned or lazy cover up is the issue here.

"Years" of "toxicity & bullying" sounds like there is a story that's not been told yet on this.

Unless of course RMT have actually scrapped the barrel so dry of excuses that this is all they have in reserve when they need to break the glass on the All-Out alarm.

Mojo · 18 May 2022

endicomark69@g said:
Why is it no surprise that it's the Picc again........

Green Park has been a Victoria line station since the changes were introduced in 2016.

Mawkie · 18 May 2022

Drogba11CFC said:
And then he gets sacked, so the RMT go on strike...

The he is a she.

endicomark69@g said:
Why is it no surprise that it's the Picc again........

It isn't.

Kite159 said:
Makes a change about it not being about pay.

Enlighten us - when was the last strike about pay? (I suppose the current night tube dispute is about pay in so much as LU want to pay more and drivers don't want it.)

Quite obviously, Area Managers have a lot of discretion and autonomy regarding their station groups and staffing, and LU have systems in place to escalate grievances - for things to get as far as a ballot for strike action is a serious failing of LU management, let alone allowing a declaration of strike action.

This is a woman who refuses to allow CSAs who are standing and talking into PAs for up to 2 hours on 30C degree platforms to 'drink from a water bottle whilst in view of the public', and disciplines staff for 'standing closer to each other than 5 floor tiles in any direction'.

Jimini · 18 May 2022

Mawkie said:
This is a woman who refuses to allow CSAs who are standing and talking into PAs for up to 2 hours on 30C degree platforms to 'drink from a water bottle whilst in view of the public', and disciplines staff for 'standing closer to each other than 5 floor tiles in any direction'.

She sounds delightful..

Mawkie · 18 May 2022

Jimini said:
She sounds delightful..

I realise I've been rather one sided - she is also known for supporting and assisting with the promoting of staff, extensive charity work outside TfL, supporter of various "women in rail" type events and so on. I think it would be fair to say she is a golden child of TfL.

MikeWh · 19 May 2022

Mawkie said:
I realise I've been rather one sided - she is also known for supporting and assisting with the promoting of staff, extensive charity work outside TfL, supporter of various "women in rail" type events and so on. I think it would be fair to say she is a golden child of TfL.

That could be why the issue hasn't been resolved.

Anyway, call me a cynic but I reckon something will happen before June 3rd. There's a whole 2 weeks to go and lots of publicity is getting senior people seriously rattled.

Basil Jet · 19 May 2022

Mawkie said:
I realise I've been rather one sided - she is also known for supporting and assisting with the promoting of staff, extensive charity work outside TfL, supporter of various "women in rail" type events and so on. I think it would be fair to say she is a golden child of TfL.

Is all of her good behaviour towards women and all of her bad behaviour towards men?

endicomark69@g · 19 May 2022

Mojo said:
Green Park has been a Victoria line station since the changes were introduced in 2016.

Mawkie said:
The he is a she.

It isn't.

Enlighten us - when was the last strike about pay? (I suppose the current night tube dispute is about pay in so much as LU want to pay more and drivers don't want it.)

Quite obviously, Area Managers have a lot of discretion and autonomy regarding their station groups and staffing, and LU have systems in place to escalate grievances - for things to get as far as a ballot for strike action is a serious failing of LU management, let alone allowing a declaration of strike action.

This is a woman who refuses to allow CSAs who are standing and talking into PAs for up to 2 hours on 30C degree platforms to 'drink from a water bottle whilst in view of the public', and disciplines staff for 'standing closer to each other than 5 floor tiles in any direction'.

Silly me, phrasing it badly at the mercy of this Site's Pedantry. I meant "the Picc" in that the RMT reps from Leech on down are likely to be the Old Finsbury Park Mafia (or their descendants) which would explain why this has been kept in the bank for "an occasion."

If the person concerned is "untouchable" because they present a potential Tribunal/Legal Action/image problem then it's not obvious that this does get resolved easily.

I'm taking a guess this person is well versed in playing the promotion game and has access to, or used all the right levers for counterstrikes which is why this has gone as far as it has.

Unless they have already had disciplinary action on their record (doesn't sound likely) there isn't an easy way to avoid a "victimisation" claim coming back for any attempt to uproot them or duckshove them into a backroom - especially with all the publicity.

Mawkie · 19 May 2022

endicomark69@g said:
Silly me, phrasing it badly at the mercy of this Site's Pedantry. I meant "the Picc" in that the RMT reps from Leech on down are likely to be the Old Finsbury Park Mafia (or their descendants) which would explain why this has been kept in the bank for "an occasion."

Of course, the Finsbury Park Mafia are only slightly less militant than the Pic & District West Mafia at the other end of the line....

I would disagree that this is one of those 'kept in the bank' issues though - it's been brewing for years. The ballot paper cited a 'breakdown in Industrial Relations' which highlights that this has a) been rumbling through the machinery for some time and b) not reached a satisfactory conclusion so far as the staff are concerned.

She wasn't the worst of the AMs I worked for, but maybe she felt emboldened by the company's inaction. (In many respects, she is the perfect manager from a company's point of view, so it could suit them to turn a blind eye.)

duncanp · 19 May 2022

Jimini said:
She sounds delightful..

Mawkie said:
I realise I've been rather one sided - she is also known for supporting and assisting with the promoting of staff, extensive charity work outside TfL, supporter of various "women in rail" type events and so on. I think it would be fair to say she is a golden child of TfL.

It sounds as though this woman is a classic workplace bully. Making petty rules such as not allowing CSAs to drink water in front of the public when on duty is just petty, and done to reinforce her power. I was on a bus yesterday, and the dirver took a sip of water from a plastic bottle whilst it was stuck in roadworks. I didn't think that was unprofessional, and I doubt whether any London Underground passengers give two hoots either.

She treats those staff who she manages like something the cat dragged in, and sucks up and licks the backside of her superiors, with "...charity work..." and supporting "..women in rail.." events. How could someone as virtue signalling as this be so nasty?

I am reminded of a TV personalilty who was well known for his charity work and for "fixing" things, and who died in 2011, who did exactly the same thing.

I can't help wonder how long this situation has been going on, what if anything has been done about it, and why the RMT have chosen now to call a strike.

endicomark69@g · 19 May 2022

Mawkie said:
Of course, the Finsbury Park Mafia are only slightly less militant than the Pic & District West Mafia at the other end of the line....

I would disagree that this is one of those 'kept in the bank' issues though - it's been brewing for years. The ballot paper cited a 'breakdown in Industrial Relations' which highlights that this has a) been rumbling through the machinery for some time and b) not reached a satisfactory conclusion so far as the staff are concerned.

She wasn't the worst of the AMs I worked for, but maybe she felt emboldened by the company's inaction. (In many respects, she is the perfect manager from a company's point of view, so it could suit them to turn a blind eye.)

This may well have been a grumbling-through-the-machinery issue for a long while, the "banked" comment was because pulling the pin on it for the Jubilee weekend is so blatant it may as well have its own PR Agent.

And while the petty micromanaging of Staff proves that this AM likes to exercise Her power, the examples cited - coming down on CSAs for being closer to each other than 2 metres etc - sound like cracking the whip on what are actual Company Policies. That particular measure sounds like it would have had to have had RMT/Union buy in during the Pandemic at the very least.

The water drinking thing is pathetic and designed to irritate, but is it also actual Policy?

So beyond being unpleasant, and I'm guessing unpopular with her Team, has this person actually done anything "worse" than that kind of low level harrasment that could also look to more Senior Management like a crack down on discipline?

Staff clumping on Gatelines is still a hot-button issue at a LOT of bigger stations - efforts to do anything about it are always resented but won't stop.

duncanp · 19 May 2022

endicomark69@g said:
This may well have been a grumbling-through-the-machinery issue for a long while, the "banked" comment was because pulling the pin on it for the Jubilee weekend is so blatant it may as well have its own PR Agent.

And while the petty micromanaging of Staff proves that this AM likes to exercise Her power, the examples cited - coming down on CSAs for being closer to each other than 2 metres etc - sound like cracking the whip on what are actual Company Policies. That particular measure sounds like it would have had to have had RMT/Union buy in during the Pandemic at the very least.

The water drinking thing is pathetic and designed to irritate, but is it also actual Policy?

So beyond being unpleasant, and I'm guessing unpopular with her Team, has this person actually done anything "worse" than that kind of low level harrasment that could also look to more Senior Management like a crack down on discipline?

Staff clumping on Gatelines is still a hot-button issue at a LOT of bigger stations - efforts to do anything about it are always resented but won't stop.

I do think there is a lot more to this issue than has been, or ever will be, made public.

It is just a pity that the travelling public have to suffer because of a dispute that has got nothing to do with them.

su31 · 19 May 2022

The person in question was a manager at Finsbury Park a while ago I believe, but was moved away because of the disruption they caused. Even colleagues have put in grievances.
They also failed me and a former colleague in a promotional interview because we "didn't meet the criteria." I understand there may race-related issues involved too.

Tubeboy · 19 May 2022

They were also an area manager at Liverpool St. She caused problems there as well. She then got moved to her current location. Instead of grasping the nettle, TFL just keep moving/promoting these people.

bramling · 19 May 2022

Tubeboy said:
They were also an area manager at Liverpool St. She caused problems there as well. She then got moved to her current location. Instead of grasping the nettle, TFL just keep moving/promoting these people.

There certainly seems to be a serious cultural problem at TFL where problems simply get moved rather than addressed.

I suppose this is an inherent risk with a large organisation that operates across a (comparatively) small geographical area - it’s simply too easy to do this.

endicomark69@g · 19 May 2022

su31 said:
su31 said:

The person in question was a manager at Finsbury Park a while ago I believe, but was moved away because of the disruption they caused. Even colleagues have put in grievances.
They also failed me and a former colleague in a promotional interview because we "didn't meet the criteria." I understand there may race-related issues involved too.

Click to expand...

If this AM has the initials AA then I'm aware of them, their record and what the issues are likely to be.

IF (big if) it is the same person then now all the surprise about this fall's away and I'm simply flabbergasted that they have not only survived to fail upwards and sideways so often, but that it's taken the Unions this long.

In short I crossed swords over a decade ago and formed the opinion she shouldn't be managing anything apart from a solo round the World dinghy. And the GPS would still mutiny.

Lewlew · 19 May 2022

endicomark69@g said:
If this AM has the initials AA

Correct

ainsworth74 · 19 May 2022

Think it's best we leave it there. I would remind that the Forum Rules state:

Mojo said:
Respectful

Do not post information that may lead to the personal details of any individual being identified without their permission unless already publicly available.

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Tube strike: Jubilee weekend walkout at two stations