Our Ref: HSR/4/2
Head Office Circular: NP/174/16
22nd June 2016
The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS
Dear Colleague
Network Rail – Roles and Responsibilities Programme [SWL/PDSW]
Further to Head Office Circular NP/150/16, 20th May 2016 and following a further series of meetings between our representatives and the company and a meeting of our representatives and the National Executive Committee the company have made a new proposal with regard to the ‘pause’ arrangements in the E Midlands area. On considering this information the National Executive Committee have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:
Having met with our E Midlands representatives we congratulate them on the resilient stance they have taken to defend our members’ health and safety against the company’s approach in this case. Our representatives were unequivocal in that the E Midlands ‘pause arrangements’ were not working for our members and were only creating worse and worse confusion for staff that may well have led to a safety incident.
We note the company have now modified their position and are seeking RMT support for a revised position that our representatives believe is worth pursuing. This position would see the cessation of the ‘pause’ arrangements (908 and 133 standards) and a reversion to an improved 019 standard with the Team Leader acting as the single controlling mind in charge of the task and safety. Crucially this proposal would see the removal of the role of safe work leader.
We therefore instruct the General Secretary to arrange a meeting between our representatives and the company to explore how this proposal will work in practice. The company have not always followed up their commitments with local management action that matches those commitments. Our representatives are therefore instructed to ensure that appropriate safe guards are put in place to protect our members. A report of the meeting to be placed back in front of this National Executive Committee.
Branches and Regional Councils be advised.
I am acting in accordance with this instruction. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.
Yours sincerely
Mick Cash
General Secretary