NETWORK RAIL – MODERNISING MAINTENANCE SURVEYS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/179/24

22nd July 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL – MODERNISING MAINTENANCE SURVEYS

 

            The Norwich RMT branch recently submitted the following resolution:

Norwich Branch would like to place on record our thanks and appreciation to our Lead H&S reps for organising safety surveys of our Network Rail maintenance members in relation to maintenance modernisation.

This branch is of the opinion that Network Rail management are unwilling to listen to reason from our reps and the results of these surveys will be essential to fighting back on the slashing of jobs and maintenance tasks.

With this in mind we request that further safety surveys are undertaken of NR Operations grades, TOC grades and passengers in relation to the negative effect maintenance modernisation is having on them and the safety of the railway as a whole.

Further, we request that such surveys are pushed out at national level as part of a structured approach to maximise participation using the full resources of the Trade Union to encourage maximum participation in the same way Network Rail publicises 'Your Voice' surveys.

Potential questions to be considered for the proposed surveys of other grade groups could include; 

Operations

Have you seen an increase in degraded working?

Have you seen an increase in infrastructure faults?

Have you seen in increase in fault rectification times?

Do you feel that maintenance modernisation has made the railway safer?

 

TOC

Have you seen an increase in degraded working?

Have you seen an increase in infrastructure faults?

Have you seen in increase in fault rectification times?

Do you feel that maintenance modernisation has made the railway safer?

 

Passengers 

Have you seen an increase in delays to your journey?

Do you feel that maintenance modernisation has made the railway safer?”

 

            At its meeting on 18th July 2024, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee from when it met to consider the Norwich branch resolution:

 

The General Secretary to thank the Norwich branch for their resolution. 

 

NEC decision Nww 20th June 2024 “Modernising Maintenance – Network Rail”, covers many of the points raised in Norwich branch resolution. More information is contained in Head Office Circular NP/157/24, dated 25th June.

 

The Operations questions listed in the resolution will be considered for insertion in the 12-month PIR survey when this is prepared. 

 

            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