Thursday, September 26, 2013

Wessex Region Executive Member Nomination

To advise that the Branch has given the supporting nomination for the Wessex Executive members position to Andy Duncombe . 

Good luck to all candidates in there campaign for this position.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Reduction in the Working Week

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No IR/559/13

 

 

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

 

 

Our Ref: BR2/0004

26th September 2013

 

 

Dear Colleagues

 

REDUCTION IN THE WORKING WEEK

 

I am sure you are well aware of the long-standing union policy to reduce the working week for all our members. The issue was raised at the 2011 National Conference of Train Crew and Shunting Grades which called for a campaign to reduce the working week for all Traincrew Grades below 35 hours per week,with the ultimate target being for a working week of 32 hours.The matter has recently been reconsidered by the General Grades Committee, which instructed me to write to all Lead Officers for train operating companies asking them to continue to pursue this matter.

 

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

 

 

New RMT Website- Request for Feedback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To: HO Officers, Executive, Regional Organisers, Regional Councils, Branches, Shipping Branches

 

25 September 2013

Circular No. Comms/001/13/AB

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

NEW RMT WEBSITEREQUEST FOR FEEDBACK

 

As you are aware RMT recently launched a new website designed to bring you the latest news and campaign detailswhilst maintaining the information and features of the old site.

 

We hope that you are enjoying the new site and we would appreciate your feedback. We would be grateful if you could complete the online survey that can be found athttp://www.rmt.org.uk/forms/website-feedback/ .

 

Please let us have your thoughts by October 31st 2013.

 

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

 

Combination if Cleaning Grades-South West Trains

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No IR/558/13

 

 

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

 

 

Our Ref: BR2/10/2

26th September 2013

 

 

Dear Colleagues

 

COMBINATION OF CLEANING GRADES – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

Further to my previous circular on the above matter dated 20thJune 2013 (IR/368/13), in which, I asked Branches on the South West Trains line of route for their opinions on how they would like the union to progress this matter. I can now report that, I have not received any responses from the affected Branches. I have therefore asked the Regional Organiser to have this issue discussed again at the next full Company Council meeting.

 

I am awaiting the outcome of the discussions and will provide members with an update when a report has been considered again by the General Grades Committee.

 

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Aftermath of Hillsborough Appeal for Witnesses

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No. NP/246/13

 

23rd September 2013

 

H.O. Ref: R14/5

 

TO:  ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

Aftermath of Hillsborough – Appeal for witnesses

Following revelations again suggesting Police manipulation of witnesses’ evidence, the Independent Police Complaints Commission launched an inquiry into the aftermath of the 1989Hillsborough disaster.

A year since it was established, the enquiry has begun recovering documents, has set up a database, recruited staff and acquired andfitted out a building. Now the enquiry is progressing with the investigation phase and witnesses are being asked to come forward.

If you were at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989 and gave a statement to Police, please contact the IPCC via this formhttps://secureforms.ipcc.gov.uk/Pages/form15.aspx or by calling 0300 200 0003. If you do make contact with the inquiry,please also inform the Hillsborough campaigner Danny Gordon (dannygordon@btconnect.com) that you have done so.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Free Travel for all Staff

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No IR/542/13

 

 

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

 

 

Our Ref: BR1/0238

12th September 2013

 

 

Dear Colleagues

 

FREE TRAVEL FOR ALL STAFF

 

Further to my previous circular on the above matter dated 22ndAugust 2013 (IR/491/13) in which, I advised you that the General Grades Committee had referred this issue into their National Sub-Committee to establish a full review of travel concessions across the transport industry. 

 

I can now report that this review has now taken place and theGeneral Grades Committee has instructed me to write to all the Train Operating Companies requesting talks to discuss the issue of concessionary travel facilities. Furthermore, I have been instructed to write to TSSA, ASLEF and Unite asking them to support our campaign for free travel for all staff.      

 

I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments.               

 

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Use Of Agency Staff, Booking Office-South West Trains

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No IR/526/13

 

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

 

Our Ref: BR2/13/1

 

9th September 2013

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

USE OF AGENCY STAFF, BOOKING OFFICE – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

Further to my Circular No IR/345/13 dated the 11th June 2013with regards to the above matter and where I informed you that the situation at Richmond Ticket Office will continue to be monitored, I can now advise you that I have received a further report from the Regional Organiser clarifying the current position.

 

The matter has been subject to recent consideration by the General Grades Committee who note that South West Trains still have one or two agency workers employed in the Richmond Ticket Office and that the company are currently advertising and seeking to employ two Booking Office staff to remove the use of any agency workers.

 

Therefore, an update report will be placed back before the General Grades Committee when normal working has resumed, for further consideration.

 

I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments.

 

Best wishes.

Bob Crow

General Secretary