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