Free Travel for All Staff

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No IR/169/14

 

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

 

Our Ref: BR1/0238

 

19th June 2014

 

Dear Colleague

 

FREE TRAVEL FOR ALL STAFF

 

Further to my Circular No IR/709/13 dated the 5th December 2013 in which I advised you that the General Grades Committeehad instructed me to write to all the Train Operating Companies requesting talks to discuss the issue of concessionary travel facilities. I can now advise you that I have received a response from the following TOCs:

 

•

Arriva Trains Wales believe that their current travel facilities are more beneficial for members than the safe guarded rail facilities but could not offer both due to potential crowding issues.

•

East Coast believe that their current travel facilities are more beneficial for members than the safe guarded rail facilities but could not offer both as it would sacrifice passenger revenue.

•

First Hull Trains state that they are not in a position to provide our travel facility demands as they are an open access operator and are reliant heavily on passenger ticket revenue.

•

Abellio Greater Anglia believes that this could only be achieved should the whole industry agree to such a scheme.

•

South West Trains do not state their views but request a meeting with the Lead Officer to discuss this matter through the agreed collective procedure.

•

Southern state that they are unable to enter into any discussions concerning travel facilities until such time as a decision on the new Thameslink, Southern Great Northern franchise has been made.

•

ATOC state that the issue of concessionary travel facilities for all employees on the railway is a matter for employers.

 

Additionally, I am in the process of arranging a meeting with our sister unions in support of our campaign for full privilege travel concessions for all staff and I am seeking legal advice on thefeasibility of a national ballot across all of our membership on the principle of free travel for all. I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments.

 

Best wishes.

Mick Cash

Acting General Secretary

Proposed National Organising Day

TO THE SECRETARY                                                       

ALL BRANCHES                                                     

Circular No MF/59/14

MOM/ORG/OD/PNTORGDY

9^th June 2014

Dear Colleague,

PROPOSED NATIONAL ORGANISING DAY

      Following a resolution submitted by the Wessex Regional Council to hold an annual organising day on Bob Crow’s birthday, the union’s Council of Executives have considered the matter and have made the following decision:

            “That we note the resolution from our Wessex Regional Council and the sentiments within and commend them for their actions.

            We instruct the Acting General Secretary to write to all regions and request that they follow the Wessex example and then send a report back to the Council of Executives with a progress report on their activities.

            Branches are to be advised of the Wessex resolution and to organise activities on the13^th June and feedback to their respective regions in order to continue their organising actions as part of an ongoing Regional Council Organising Plan.

            The Acting General Secretary is instructed to produce commemorative black t-shirts with the photo on the March edition of RMT News and "Don't Mourn           Organise" and to liaise closely with the Organising Unit in order to make these events and t-shirts a success and, in line with the Wessex resolution, make this an annual event on or around the 13th June each year.

            Finally the Council of Executives recognises that organising transport workers should be a daily not an annual event and hopes that all regions/branches will use this as a springboard to enhance their ongoing organising campaigns.

Yours sincerely

M. Cash

Acting General Secretary