LUL safety Tier 1 trains reps meeting to discuss trains specific Covid-19 mitigation measures

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/280/21
30th July 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

LUL SAFETY (TIER 1) TRAINS REPS MEETING TO DISCUSS TRAINS SPECIFIC COVID-19 MITIGATION MEASURES

I write to inform you that your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 29th July 2021 to discuss the following resolution from RMT Neasden branch:

This branch calls on the NEC to arrange a meeting of Safety (Tier 1) trains reps on London Underground to discuss trains specific Covid mitigations.

We request that a face to face meeting in a central location, which can safely accommodate up to 30 Safety reps and a couple of officers, be arranged preferably before the 16th August when the Government plan to relax Covid rules next.

If it is deemed impossible to arrange this meeting face to face then we would ask that a zoom meeting is arranged, however this is clearly not the preferred option of this branch.

During the peak of the pandemic a range of trains specific Covid mitigations were rightly put in place, particularly around how we train but not confined to training.

However, this branch feels that it is the right time for trains Safety reps to meet and discuss current mitigations effecting train members and how we wish to manage going forward.

It would be true to report that current agreed measures are not being followed or supported by some of our members. It is hoped that we can form a safe consensus to ensure that the workplace remains safe for all train members with the support of all train members.

It must be note that this branch is aware of and is supportive of current generic guidance supported by the union in dealing with Covid in the workplace and has no wish for those measures to be discussed at the meeting.

On giving consideration to the RMT Neasden branch resolution the NEC noted and adopted the following report:

We note the resolution from our Neasden branch.

This union will continue to demand that employers maintain a workplace that is as a safe as possible. Our members deserve to work in an environment where all risk, COVID related or otherwise, is minimised.

Our reps and lead-officer have extracted an agreement from TfL/LUL that COVID safety measures will not be withdrawn without risk assessments and progression through the agreed machinery of negotiation.

The NEC believes this was an important achievement that prevented TfL from simply dismantling safety measures without giving proposer consideration to the risks encountered by our members whilst at work.

We recognise the need to continually evaluate the effectiveness and impacts of current measures on LU trains and therefore instruct the General secretary to convene a meeting, as set out in the Neasden branch resolution. The General secretary is to place a report of the meeting in front of the NEC.

LTRC, Branches and all Train Operator Tier1/Tier2 reps to be informed.

I am acting in accordance with these instructions.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary