Circular No IR/240/15
To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils
Our Ref: BR2/0004
5th October 2015
Dear Colleagues
REDUCTION IN THE WORKING WEEK GUARDS/COMMERCIAL GUARDS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS
Further to my Circular IR/215/15 dated 17th September 2015, branches will recall that following the result of the referendum of our Guards and Commercial Guards members, I wrote to company advising them the company’s proposals were unacceptable. I was then instructed to hold a meeting at Unity House with our Guards Company Council and Guards LDC Representatives to discuss the way forward; however the Company refused to release our Guards LDC Reps and then subsequently offered to release 1 Guards LDC rep per depot providing this was after 31st October 2015.
This matter has now been considered by the General Grades Committee who believes the delay with release of our Representatives is unreasonable and that this Union is entitled to consult with its reps and members. Additionally it also feels that any further delay could hinder our industrial relations going forward. Therefore I have written to the company demanding that it meets with our Lead officer and Guards Company Council by 31st Oct 2015 and that we require an agreement over the release of our LDC reps at Depots to consult with members. Following this this meeting I have requested release for all GuardsLDC representatives to meet with the Guards Company Council and Lead officer.
Our Representatives have also highlighted the fact that our SWT Guards members have the highest weekly hours yet the lowest paid in relation to other companies and feel that members should be made aware through publications with comparators of TOCs Guards Hours and Pay. I am currently in the process of producing this material for our Guards LDC reps to distribute.
Furthermore I have advised the company that failure to comply with our demands may lead to a dispute situation existing between us, if no positive response is forthcoming by the 15th October2015.
I will of course keep branches updated on further developments.
Yours sincerely
Mick Cash
General Secretary
