NETWORK RAIL – LEAD REPS ON POLICY COUNCIL

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/178/24

22^nd July 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL – LEAD REPS ON POLICY COUNCIL

 

            Your South London Rail Branch submitted the following resolution:

 

            We request that the General Secretary asks of Network Rail that their Network Rail Policy council should include representatives from the National H&S council namely the Lead H&S reps. At present it only includes national industrial reps even though most of the policies include Health, safety and welfare issues. 

 

            We quote from the introduction of the Health and Safety handbook ‘This handbook is part of RMT’s commitment to supporting our health and safety representatives and the vital role they perform in helping to make every workplace as healthy and safe as possible’.  The experience and skills of the lead H&S reps should therefore be extended to the policy council so they can carry out that vital role in all aspects of Network Rail.

 

            At its meeting on 18^th July 2024, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee:

 

That we note the resolution from our South London Rail Branch and the sentiments contained therein.

 

Additionally, we note that RMT membership of the National Policy Council is constituted by our Collective Bargaining Agreement of the 1^st of January 2020, clause 8.5.1 – “RMT x5… representatives from the National Councils and a maximum of x1 Full Time Official…”  which references the National Maintenance and National Operations Councils. 

 

We also note that membership of the National Policy Council is covered under clause 8.5.2. “Other nominated representatives co-opted for specific agenda items with the agreement of the Chair.”

 

Finally, we note that under clause 8.2. “The agenda for the NPC shall be agreed by both parties 7 days in advance of each meeting.”

 

Accordingly, the General Secretary is instructed to respond to the Branch advising that NPC business that may have safety considerations, and the involvement of Safety representatives in NPC meetings, can be dealt with in the following ways:

 

1. that the NPC is constituted under the Collective Bargaining Agreement from our NOC and NMC.
2. that Safety Representatives are under a separate procedure agreement. 
3. safety business can be referred to the National Safety Council, which is covered by that procedure agreement.
4. however, that safety representatives can be co-opted to the NPC for specific agenda items as required.
5. that NPC Business that is placed on the agenda that we regard as the proper business of the NSC can be rejected by our side and referred to the NPC instead.

 

            Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be notified.

 

            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