MTR ELIZABETH LINE: LONE WORKING

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/187/24

24th July 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

MTR ELIZABETH LINE: LONE WORKING

 

I recently received a resolution from RMT East London Rail branch:

East London Rail Branch notes with grave concern the increasing dangers faced by our members working alone on gatelines at MTR Elizabeth Line stations. The evidence clearly indicates that lone working in these conditions is unsafe and puts our members at unacceptable risk of harm.

Therefore this resolution requests the General Secretary write to MTR Elizabeth Line requesting the following: 

 

1. MTR Elizabeth Line conduct an Immediate Review, initiating a comprehensive review of lone working practices at all stations, focusing on gateline staff. This review to involve the Health and Safety reps and Local industrial reps in the areas affected.
2. Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with relevant authorities, including management and safety management, to assess the risks and explore safer working arrangements.
3. Propose Alternatives: Develop and propose alternative staffing models that ensure no worker is left alone on gatelines, such as paired or team-based shifts.
4. Implement Safety Measures: Advocate for and implement immediate safety measures to protect our members, including increased security presence and emergency response protocols.
5. Members from 2300 hours until further notice to work from within a place of safety when Lone-working and not to detrain or attend incidents within the station or on the trains alone.

 

The safety and well-being of our members are of paramount importance. We must take decisive action to end the practice of lone working on gatelines, thereby safeguarding our members from further harm and ensuring a secure working environment.

 

            At its meeting on 11^th July 2024, your NEC (National Executive Committee) noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety sub-committee from when they met to consider the matter:

 

That we mote the resolution from East London Rail branch and we thank them for it. 

 

We instruct the General Secretary to take up this matter in line with the resolution and we place a further report before the NEC. 

 

Members, branches and regional councils to be informed by text and email. 

 

            Subsequently the NEC met on 23^rd July 2024, to consider an update report from the Lead Officer, which was that points one to four of the East London Rail branch resolution have been progressed, but that to comply with industrial action balloting legislation point number five requires a formal ballot.  In respect to this the report adopted by your NEC is as follows:

 

            That we note the update outlining that the most of our demands have been progressed. 

 

            We instruct the General Secretary to seek an updated report in relation to the outstanding item on the resolution. 

 

            Members, branches and regional councils to be informed by text and email. 

 

            I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary