RECOGNITION NETWORK RAIL MANAGED STATIONS CONTRACT (NCT)

                                                                                              

TO THE SECRETARY                                                         Circular No MF/145/18 

ALL BRANCHES AND                                                        Ref: MOM/-

REGIONAL COUNCILS                                                     30^th November 2018

Dear Colleague

 RECOGNITION NETWORK RAIL MANAGED STATIONS CONTRACT (NCT)

     The RMT Union is reinvigorating our campaign to organise and represent our Interserve members, instructing them to hold special meetings and depot visits for this purpose. Branches are to advise respective Regional Organisers of these dates and the names of nominated lead activists, one per each location, by no later than 18^th December 2018.

     The union will produce campaigning material highlighting our 6 key demands for Interserve workers which are as follows;

1.      Dignity and respect at work

2.      Cultural awareness and an agreed holiday system.

3.      Health and Safety at work.

4.     End Bullying & Harassment of Staff.  Stop Victimisation of RMT Representatives.

5   Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2019. From 1^st April 2019 including:

·         a substantial increase in rates of pay across the contract,

·         an agreed company sick pay scheme,

·         an agreed system of shift rates taking account of unsocial hours, weekend working, overtime premium rates

·         a reduction in base working hours without loss of pay,

·         an increase in holiday entitlement and system tuned to the needs of the workers on the contract

·         assistance with travel costs to and from work.

5.      RMT Recognition agreement.

     The union will seek meaningful negotiations to address the above issues with Network Rail and Interserve informing them failing agreement this RMT Union will campaign openly at all Network Rail Managed Stations using all means and channels to expose the poor working conditions and oppressive regime our members face and fully intend to ballot members for industrial action on the contract if necessary, in support of our demands.

     A meeting will be arranged with NR and with our parliamentary group to ensure a plan is in place which guarantees our members protection of employment, TUPE and all conditions of service should Interserve collapse.

     This matter will be placed back before the NEC on the 18^th December 2018.

Yours sincerely

M. Cash

General Secretary

 

To: All Branches & Regional Councils

 

Dear colleagues

 

It is with deep regret that I advise of the passing of Lynne Crouch, our Senior Membership Officer, on 30^th December 2018.

 

As you can imagine, it has been both upsetting and a complete shock to all her colleagues and friends following the return to the office after the Christmas break.

 

As an RMT employee since 2003, Lynne’s passing will be a big loss to our Membership Department and the Union as a whole. Our thoughts and sympathy are with her close friends and family during this difficult time.

 

Kind regards

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary

BREACH OF AGREEMENT, GUARDS AND COMMERCIAL GUARDS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No: IR/306/16

 

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

 

Our Ref: BR2/14/2

 

17th July 2017

 

Dear Colleague,

 

BREACH OF AGREEMENT, GUARDS AND COMMERCIAL GUARDS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

I am writing further to my Circular (IR/287/17) dated 10th July 2017 in relation to the above matter and where I informed you of management’s unwillingness to address our concerns and their continued breach of the two sections of the GRA 7.1.1 & 7.2.

 

Our Lead Officer and SWT Guards Company Council Representatives have recently met with the company to discuss this matter further under the Avoidance of Dispute. In the meeting the issue was raised regarding padding turns utilising spare to move to spare, which was discussed in great detail and debate over a considerable amount of time. It was during this debate last year that the then Customer Service Director agreed that this practice was not within the spirit of GRA and asked the union to provide a clear set of words, which was reflective of everyone’s understanding and interpretation from the discussions. 

 

During the recent Avoidance of Dispute meeting it became clear that the current Customer Services Director believed that on the basis of the information he has received from the previous Director, the form of words provided would likely mean a change to the Terms and Conditions. The union’s negotiating team informed the company that the matter still remains with GRA being incorrectly interpreted by some areas of management and that the form of words provided clarification on the issue and did not require any change to the overall GRA. Despite our best efforts the Director informed us that he would need to talk to First before making any commitments as there could be an impact on the Terms and Conditions of service, which would be affect the change of the franchise rules in the last 12 months. 

 

The National Executive Committee has considered this matter and believes the best possible way forward is to call a ballot for Strike Action and Industrial Action short of a strike. Therefore, ballot papers will be sent to members’ home address on Friday 21st July and will need to be returned by no later than First Post on Tuesday 1st August 2017. I urge you to advise members to ensure their details such as their home address are correct by urgently contacting the RMT Switch board on 020 7387 4771 and asking for the membership department, where their details will be amended. Alternatively, members can contact the RMT Freephone Helpline on 0800 376 3706 or by emailing the helpline at info@rmt.org.uk and notifying them of any updates.

 

I will of course keep you fully advised of any further developments and future decision on this issue. I would be grateful if you could bring the contents of this circular to the attention of your members.

 

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary

Branch Nomination

The Branch has given the supporting nomination to John David for the Company Council Reps (Guards Grades Inner).

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/

            

     

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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.