Branch poster

VOTE NUMBER 1 for RICKEY GOODMAN

VOTE NUMBER 1 for RICKEY GOODMAN

Nomination for NEC

The Waterloo Branch has the pleasure of giving Rickey Goodman the nomination for the National Executive Committee position (NEC)

Further updates will be given on the progression of his campaign.

Special Branch Meeting Poster

Branch Poster

DRIVER ONLY OPERATION – DEFENDING THE ROLE OF THE GUARD

 

 

 

 

Our Ref BR2/0146

Circular No IR/157/16

3rd June 2016

 

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS AND REGIONAL OFFICES

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

DRIVER ONLY OPERATION – DEFENDING THE ROLE OF THE GUARD 

 

Further to my recent circular IR/149/16 25th May 2016, branches will be aware that we have organised a national meeting on Thursday 16th June 2016 to discuss our Campaign against Driver Only Operation in defence of the safety role of the guard. The purpose of the meeting is for National Officers and Executive members to discuss and understand the view of reps and individual members from each Franchise as regards DOO and this will inform how we conduct this vital campaign.

 

I ask Branches to encourage as many Guard and Driver members as possible to attend as we want as wide a spectrum of contributions ideally from every Train Operating Company which operates services where guards retain a safety role. As stated in my previous circular, this meeting is considered a legitimate expense and Branches and Regional Councils can reimburse attendees from their funds. 

 

At the end of the meeting delegates and representatives will be able to take away campaigning materials including leaflet, campaign badges, T shirts, postcards to take back to your depots. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival and I ask attendees to arrive from 1045 to ensure a prompt 1100 start.

 

Please find enclosed a copy of the agenda for the meeting including directions to Conway Hall.   

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash 

General Secretary

KEEP THE GUARD ON THE TRAIN, KEEP THE TRAIN SAFE!

 

 

 

 

Our Ref BR2/0146

Circular IR/149/16

25th May 2016

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS AND REGIONAL OFFICES

 

Dear Colleagues 

 

KEEP THE GUARD ON THE TRAIN, KEEP THE TRAIN SAFE!

 

National Meeting on Thursday 16th June 2016 at 1100 hours

Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, Holborn, London 

 

DRIVER ONLY OPERATION – CAMPAIGN TO DEFEND THE ROLE OF THE GUARD

 

We are organising a National Meeting in London to discuss our campaign to defend the role of the guard and fight against the further spread of Driver Only Operation. Branches will be well aware of our protracted and frankly nasty dispute with Southern GTR where the grade is being decimated, and also with the current dispute at Abellio Scotrail where members are being balloted over the very real threat of the further extension of DOO. 

 

The need for this campaign has never been greater and no-one should be under the allusion that the concerted attack on guards will stop at GTR and Scotrail. We see a systematic and underhanded campaign to attack the safety role of the guard with the only motive we can see being profit at the expense of safetyand jobs. Our position has always been that the guard should be in operational control of the doors and has a vital safety role for passengers and the railway in general.

 

We have asked the Chairs and Secretaries of allGuards/Conductors Company Councils, the Chair and Secretary of the National Industrial Organising Conference  for Traincrew and Shunting Grades, the Lead Officers for relevant Train Operating Companies, Members of the National ExecutiveCommittee and National Officers including myself to attend this meeting.

 

In addition individual members, but only from within theConductor/Guard and Driver grades, are also invited. This is a legitimate expense from Branch Management Funds and members should contact their Branch Secretaries if they wish to attend as a delegate.

 

I cannot emphasis enough to branches and members alike just how important this campaign is. The safety role of the Guard is under attack on a number of different fronts and it would be foolish to assume this wont be spread across the country. I hope as many members will be able to attend this meeting as possible so that we can have a wide ranging debate on this vital political and industrial campaign.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash 

General Secretary

Referendum on Membership of the European Union - vote Leave

Friday 27 May 2016

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

Referendum on Membership of the European Union - vote Leave

 

With less than a month to go before the referendum on UK membership of the European Union, I am writing to you to outline the union's position. 

 

RMT policy on this matter was decided by rank and file members at the 2015 Annual General Meeting, and the union is campaigning for a Leave vote. 

 

I believe that a Leave vote is important in order for the union to continue to advance towards our objectives, and I have listed six reasons below why RMT believes you should vote Leave. 

 

1.    Leave the EU to end attacks on rail workers New EU rail policies are set to further entrench rail privatisation and fragmentation. That will also mean more attacks or jobs and conditions and EU laws will make it impossible to bring all of rail back into public ownership.   2.    Leave the EU to end attacks on seafarers and the offshore workers  The EU has promoted undercutting and social dumping leading to the decimation of UK seafarers. The same is now happening in the offshore sector. EU directives also require the tendering our public ferry services.  3.    Leave the EU to end attacks on workers' rights  It's a myth that the EU is in favour of workers. In fact the EU is developing a new policy framework to attack trade union rights, collective bargaining, job protections and wages. This is already being enforced in countries which have received EU “bailouts”.  4.    Leave the EU to end Austerity If you join a union you expect members of the union to protect each other in times of trouble. The European Union has done the opposite. It has used the economic crisis to impose austerity and privatization on member states. Instead of protecting jobs and investment EU austerity is driving UK austerity.    5.    Leave the EU to stop the attack on our NHS The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) trade agreement being negotiated between the EU and the United States will promote big business at the expense government protections and organisations including our NHS! Environmental regulations, employment rights, food safety, privacy laws and many other safeguards will also be secondary to the right of corporations to make even bigger profits.   6.    Leave the EU to support democracy The vast majority of the laws that affects our lives are now made in the EU and not the UK. We have no say over those Laws. As the late Tony Benn said in 1991…  “We are discussing whether the British people are to be allowed to elect those who make the laws under which they are governed. The argument is nothing to do with whether we should get more maternity leave from Madame Papandreou [a European Commissioner].”

 

For further information please visit the links below:

 

The EU Debate a Trade Unionists' perspective: http://online.fliphtml5.com/gaoo/baot/

 

Bob Crow on the EU in his own words. http://online.fliphtml5.com/gaoo/ayvs/

 

If you have any queries regarding the union's campaign please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash
General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/          www.rmtv.org.uk/

            

     

The information contained in this message is confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If you have received this message in error, or if there are any problems, please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden.

FOR URGENT ATTENTION OF SWT MEMBERS ROLE OF THE GUARD, EXTENSION OF DOO - GTR (SOUTHERN)

Our Ref BR2/0146

16^th May 2016

 

TO ALL SOUTH WEST TRAINS MEMBERS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

FOR URGENT ATTENTION OF SWT MEMBERS

 

ROLE OF THE GUARD, EXTENSION OF DOO - GTR (SOUTHERN)

 

You may be aware that your colleagues at GTR Southern are in dispute with their employer over blatant plans to decimate the role of the Conductor. There is clear evidence that  Southern have been bullying and harassing members and putting undue pressure on them to sign up for the new grade of On Board Supervisor, effectively doing their level best to kill off the role of the Guard. In another obvious show of spite, they have even taken away members' and their dependants' travel facilities and car parking permits. 

 

Strike action has been called on Wednesday 18^thMay 2016 and it has been brought to our attention that South West Trains are asking you and your colleagues to volunteer to work at Clapham Junction on the strike day. Please be advised that RMT is asking South West Trains members not to volunteer to work on this day as this will only serve to undermine the lawful industrial action that will be taken by members at GTR Southern.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash
General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/          www.rmtv.org.uk/

            

     

The information contained in this message is confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If you have received this message in error, or if there are any problems, please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden.

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, WATERLOO – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Ref: BR2/14/2

 

15th April 2016

 

Rickey Goodman

Branch Secretary

Waterloo Branch

 

Dear Rickey,

 

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, WATERLOO – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

Further to my letter dated 31st March 2016 with regards to the above matter. Please be advised that the matter has been subject to recent consideration by the National Executive Committee and their decision is as follows:-

 

“That we note the report on file from our Lead Officer.

 

At the avoidance of dispute meeting held on the 5th April 2016 the company have now given assurances to address all our concerns; however time needs to be given to convey this information to our effected members at Waterloo.

 

Accordingly we instruct the General Secretary to immediately suspend the ballot while we seek the views member’s and further reports from the Branch Lead Officer.

 

Waterloo Branch and relevant representatives to be advised.” 

 

Therefore, in-line with the NEC decision the ballot of our affected members at Waterloo will be suspended. I have further received correspondence from our Lead Officer; however, this was received after the NEC decision above was made and will therefore be placed before the NEC at the earliest opportunity. I hope this keeps you fully advised on the matter and I trust you will keep me updated on any further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash 

General Secretary

 

 

Driver Only Operation (DOO) and Keep the Guard on the Train Campaign

 

 

 

 

 

 

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

 

Circular No IR/99/16

 

 

 

 

Our Ref: BR2/0146

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

Driver Only Operation (DOO) and Keep the Guard on the Train Campaign

 

In my circular IR/196/15 dated 18th August 2016, I set out the union’s position following the adoption of a resolution by the 2015 AGM of a resolution submitted by the Traincrew & Shunting Grades Conference.  For ease of reference the resolution was as follow:-

 

“This Conference reiterates its complete opposition to Driver Only Operation in all forms up to and including Driver Door Operation and Driver Control Operation.

 

This Conference recognises the ongoing threat to the guard grade across the combining routes and applauds the efforts made by those participating in the campaign to save railway jobs on the Northern and TPE campaign.

 

Conference agrees that this 2015  Conference is to be the stepping stone  of resistance towards all forms of D.O.O including both  D.C.O and DDO and agrees the only  way to halt  this  threat of eradicating the grade  is to enter  into  a full blown  dispute if TOCs do not agree to remove D.O.O/D.C.O/D.D.O off their agenda. 

 

Further, Conference agrees to work towards a situation where we see guards returned to services that are D.O.O.”

 

This matter has again been considered by the National Executive Committee following a meeting of the Traincrew and Shunting Grades National Industrial Organising Conference Liaison Committee.

 

At this meeting proposals for re-launching the ‘Keep the Guard on the Train’ campaign were discussed. It was agreed that a strategy discussion would take place at this year’s conference (on 15th April).

 

The National Executive Committee also instructed me to prepare materials for the national campaign, including a leaflet for all our guards members emphasising the safety role of the Guard.

Arrangements are in hand to produce the campaign material and branches and members will be kept advised of developments.

 

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all members as this is to be a national campaign.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary 

 

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, WATERLOO – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No: IR/0088/16

 

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL OFFICES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Our Ref: BR2/14/2

 

30th March 2016

 

Dear Colleague,

 

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, WATERLOO – SOUTH WEST TRAINS 

 

I have recently received disturbing reports from our Waterloo Branch regarding the above matter. South West Trains have repeatedly refused to meet with our elected representatives which are clearly outlined by the company’s 1996 procedures. Additionally, I am deeply concerned as to why the company have decided inflame the situation by meeting with another union to discuss rosters for rail operators when the other union has no recognition or collective bargaining. 

 

South West Trains have repeatedly received requests and correspondence asking management to engage in dialogue to resolve this matter. The most recent correspondence was sent by the Lead Officer to the Director, highlighting the breakdown in industrial relations and requesting a meeting to resolve the matter was deliberately ignored in an LDC meeting by the local manager in front of the other union. This situation has now been intensified by the company’s blatant refusal to resolve this issue, which has only caused unrest amongst our members. Our members are clearly outraged at the disgraceful behaviour of local management and we demand immediate action to resolve this issue.

 

Accordingly, I have now informed the company that we are currently in a dispute situation and unless serious progress is made our Rail Operator (Platform) Members located at Waterloo will be balloted for strike action and action short of strike. We must send a clear message to SWT that we are totally opposed to the company’s clear lack of cooperation and will not be ignored or go away quietly. 

 

I would be grateful if you could please bring this circular to the attention of your members.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash 

General Secretary