NETWORK RAIL – ARRANGEMENTS FOR STORM ÉOWYN

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/24/25

18 February 2025

To: The Secretary

All branches and regional councils

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL – ARRANGEMENTS FOR STORM ÉOWYN

 

I write further to my circular of no.14, dated 27^th January 2025, in which I explained that I had received a number of complaints from members regarding Network Rail’s arrangements for Storm Éowyn.

 

Further to this your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 13^th February 2025 to adopt a report from its h&s sub-committee, from when it met to consider accounts from our representatives and correspondence from the Lead Officer which described the completely inadequate arrangements that Network Rail had in place for frontline staff during and after the red weather warning for Storm Éowyn. In relation to this, when they met on 13^th February, your NEC adopted the following report:

 

We note the contents of the report from the Lead Officer. We also note reports from reps and thank them for their work on this.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to seek an urgent meeting of the National Safety Council to demand that decisive action is taken to ensure Network Rail takes responsibility for staff safety and well-being during extreme weather events. 

 

We also instruct the General Secretary to share the Lead Officers report with the STUC, the TUC and with our affected members. Also, that the issues contained within the report be communicated to the ORR, the Government, and the general public. 

 

We note previous correspondence in relation to the H&S file, “Severe Weather Warning – Danger to Life/Essential Staff”. Iin connection with this we instruct the General Secretary to revisit the action points in relation to this file - as adopted by the National Executive Committee on 9^th February 2023 - and correspondence dated 17^th March 2023 from Network Rail that relates to it.

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. 

          

Please bring this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Michael Lynch, General Secretary