Grand Central - Resumption of Services

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/164/2020
6th July 2020
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

GRAND CENTRAL – RESUMPTION OF SERVICES

The National Executive Committee have considered a report of their Lead Officer for Grand Central Trains. The company have been in discussion with our representatives regarding their proposed return to service. The company are proposing to take our health and safety representatives off Furlough from next week to commence consultations on Risk Assessments.

The company are proposing to reintroduce a limited service from Sunderland and Bradford to London Kings Cross. At present they are not in a position to continue their plans for operations from Blackpool to London, this will be subject to a further business review.

They are proposing to bring back all Drivers and Guards from Furlough based at Bradford and Sunderland but keep all catering staff on Furlough arrangements at present.

The company have made it clear that they will not be able to operate as a viable business under 2 meter social distance measures between passengers, obviously this results in major concerns over the long term future of the business and our members employed by Grand Central.

The company have proposed to operate at 1 meter Social Distancing from passenger to passenger but at 2 meters Social Distancing from staff to staff and staff to passenger and look to introduce risk assessments and control measures to allow this to happen.

At 1 meter Social Distancing between passengers, the company have stated that they will be able to operate without loss and start the process of securing the long term viability of the Company and in turn the employment of our members.

The National Executive Committee referred this matter to their Health and Safety Sub-committee who submitted the following report:

We note the report on file regarding the potential resumption of services on the Grand Central Services. We also note that a new principles document on the new social distancing regime has been provided by the RICF. Therefore we instruct the GS to place this matter back before the NEC for further consideration.

Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

At their meeting on 3rd July 2020 the National Executive Committee carried the following resolution:
We note and adopt the report from the Health and Safety Sub-committee.

Additionally we note the correspondence and report on file from the Lead Officer.

The company are proposing that they want to start running services in late July. It is their intention to take the H+S reps off furlough on Monday 6th July to commence consultations on risk assessments.

This NEC takes in to consideration the precarious position that grand central find themselves in. Therefore we instruct the general secretary to inform the company we support there resumption of services. If all relevant risk assessments are in place.

Any further report is to be placed back before this NEC.

Members to be informed by text/email. Relevant Branches/Regional Councils to be advised.

Please make the contents of this Circular available to all appropriate members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary