NETWORK RAIL USE OF VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM

Our ref: HSR/2/29
Head Office Circular: NP/196/22
16th September 2022
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

NETWORK RAIL USE OF VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM (VTS)

Your 2022 Annual General Meeting adopted the following resolution:

Members of grades covered by this conference will be only too aware of the costs and chaos created by implementation of the now defunct Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) introduced by Network Rail. Conference is concerned that NR is considering a replacement system.

Conference therefore calls upon the NEC to approach NR with a view to determine the company’s intentions about such proposals and the costs involved.

No doubt NR will promote this as being in the interests of ‘Safety’. Whilst conference believes that any spending in terms of safety would be better used protecting members working ‘On or near the line’ we have to accept that if NR decide they wish to monitor their vehicles they will do it!

However, should NR choose this option conference requests the NEC seek assurances from Network Rail as follows:

a) That the system is accurate and is constantly updated.
b) No force use of ‘Dash Cams’
c) Ensure that the ‘Fair Culture’ policy is properly applied in particular where members have unintentionally broken the speed limit.

At its meeting on 13th September your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety sub-committee:

We note the resolution carried unanimously by the 2022 AGM and that this item is in avoidance of dispute stage of our machinery.

The General Secretary is instructed to seek assurances from Network Rail in line with the resolution as follows:

a) That the system is accurate and is constantly updated.
b) That there is no forced use of ‘Dash Cams’
c) That the ‘Fair Culture’ policy is properly applied in particular where members have unintentionally broken the speed limit.

Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary