Possession Limits Control Programme Camden RAIB REC 3

Head Office Circular NP/261/20
Our Ref: HSR/2/15
23rd October 2020
THE SECRETARY
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague

POSSESSION LIMITS CONTROL PROGRAMME (CAMDEN RAIB REC 3)

RMT have recently been made aware of the developments within the railway industry that we believe represent a fundamental attack on the protection currently offered to trackworkers by the T3 rules. RMT strongly believe that when the T3 rules are correctly and appropriately applied they give trackworkers the safest form of protection from the risks of being struck by trains. The rail industry has tried to undermine the T3 rules and have tried to modify and even remove them in the recent past. All of these attempts have been successfully resisted by RMT and specifically by the solidarity of our membership.

On considering these reports the National Executive Committee have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

We note the report from the Regional Organiser and intelligence gained from other sources. We strongly believe this is the start of a concerted attack on the protection currently afforded to our track worker members by the T3 Possession Rules. The General Secretary is instructed to write to RSSB and to Network Rail stating our outright opposition to any such changes at the current time. We remain convinced that the T3 Rules, if correctly applied and used in the correct circumstances, provide our members with the safest method of preventing workers being struck by trains. We believe these changes are being driven by ‘efficiency’ and not by safety and, as such, we will take no part in any development work in this regard. When such attempts to change the rules have been made in the past, RMT and its members have vigorously and successfully resisted any such change, and this Union must be prepared to place all of our resources, including industrial action, behind our campaign work.

Any updates to be placed before this NEC. Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep you advised of any further developments.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary