Research on the impact of nightshift working

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/249/24

14th October 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF NIGHTSHIFT WORKING

 

There is a tendency for employers to suggest that the impacts of night work on the health of workers can be explained by lifestyle habits – and thereby shift responsibility from employers and their duty of care onto individual workers. 

 

Given this RMT NEC agreed to obtain some qualitative academic research; and for this to be interview based using a small sample group (of NWR, TOC and LUL members).To use the outcomes to strengthen our arguments in relation to night and shift work and the impact of both mental and physical health conditions on members, their families and communities. 

 

The importance of seeking independent research on the impact on RMT members of night work, is particularly necessary given that some of the NWR contracts Modernising Maintenance require 39 weeks per year of night shifts and 39 weekends. 

 

At its meeting on 10th October 2024 your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety sub-committee:

That we note the correspondence on file relating to the “Impact of nightshift working” Research provided by Greenwich University. We thank our Health & Safety section for their work in relation to this.

 

We instruct the General Secretary to:

  • Ensure this report is used to promote RMT bargaining agenda for Network Rail Members to include work/life balanced rosters including demands for a 32-hour working week of 4 days and 8-hour shifts
  • To have the report circulated to branches and regional councils, and an article is written for RMT News, a press release is issued on the report, and a briefing doc is written and circulated for RMT reps to use when negotiating rosters. 

 

            Relevant members, branches and regional councils to be informed. 

 

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep you advised of andy developments. You can find the Greenwich University report here:  https://bit.ly/3BKrXHE and more information on RMT fatigue website page on:https://bit.ly/405bXds

 

Although the report is focused on rail members, the general principles raised in the report will apply to other transport sectors. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary