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