NATIONAL STANDARDISED TRAINING PROGRAM – TRAIN CREW & SHUNTING GRADES

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/148/25

2^nd September 2025

To: The Secretary

All branches and Regional Councils

 

Dear Colleague

 

NATIONAL STANDARDISED TRAINING PROGRAM – TRAIN CREW & SHUNTING GRADES

 

Your 2025 Annual General Meeting adopted the following resolution:

 

This Branch calls on our NEC to debate and develop through relevant subgroups the issue of a national and standardised training and standards program for Train Crew and Shunting grades.

The program should be with a view to the formation of GBR, which is due to start-up operations over the next couple of years.

“Since the advent of privatisation from the mid-1990s onwards, the rail industry has sought through its previously private partnerships to fragment, withdraw and dilute the standards that guide operational rules on our nations Railways.

While this resolution also appreciates the variable nuances around geography, infrastructure and rolling stock, it is important that the opportunity GBR affords us as a Union to standardise and strengthen process in terms of Industry standards and training is not passed up.

To that end, we ask that any forum our Union sees fit to work on this item looks to develop policy on national agreements that would set standards and norms for such items as Route learning, Yard operations, traction knowledge and basic underpinning knowledge allowing a seamless transfer process across the entire network etc for staff carrying out operational duties.

While appreciating this subject is complex and comprehensive in terms of the national

picture, the only way to combat the wholesale attack on industry standards that has occurred over the past three decades is for our Union to set up new structures that can return greater control to our members via national agreements.

                                                            

At its meeting on 19^th August 2025 your NEC noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety sub-committee:

 

We note the resolution passed at the AGM and appreciate the importance it attaches to GBR affording an opportunity to standardise and strengthen processes in terms of industry standards and training.   

 

In connection with this we note that RMT responded to a recent RSSB consultation “Competence and Training requirements for Guards” - RSSB intend to create a framework for training, competence and assessment of staff who undertake the guard’s role. 

 

Within RMTs reply to the RSSB consultation, the following paragraph is of relevance to this AGM resolution:

“With the impending formation of GBR, we instruct the General Secretary to campaign for a national standard for safety competency and training requirements for guards.”

 

We instruct the General Secretary to incorporate the aims and principals of the resolution in our ongoing work and discussions around the structure and remit of GBR and include in this the requirement for a national standard for shunter grades also. 

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.         

 

Please bring this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary