Network Rail - Sentinel Scheme Rules

Our Ref: HSR/1/1
Head Office Circular NP/151/20
22nd June 2020
The Secretary
All Branches
All Regional Councils

Dear Colleague

NETWORK RAIL - SENTINEL SCHEME RULES

Following a report from your National Maintenance Council Representatives who raised concerns that anyone who currently fails the D&A test goes through the disciplinary process and also has to go through this parallel faceless, Sentinel scheme process the matter was considered by your National Executive Committee (NEC). While the Sentinel scheme rules allow for an appeal process for members they do not allow an individual scheme member to the right to be represented at any hearing.

The NEC have now considered this matter and noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

We note the report and correspondence on file and instruct the General Secretary to write to the company demanding that the Sentinel Scheme Rules, while they allow for an appeal process, do not give appellants the right to be represented at any such appeal and that this must be changed. Rights of representation are a fundamental part of such processes and must be allowed for all individual members of the scheme whether directly employed by Network Rail or in the Supply Chain. A further report to be placed back in front of this National Executive Committee.

Branches and Regional Council 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 Lynch
Senior Assistant General Secretary