Staff Assault at Bromley South - Southeastern Railway

Our Ref: HSR/2/2
Head Office Circular: NP/182/21
1st June 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

STAFF ASSAULT AT BROMLEY SOUTH – SOUTHEASTERN RAILWAY

RMT met with Southeastern and the British Transport Police (BTP) this morning along with our Company Councillor for Revenue Grades for an emergency briefing on yesterday’s horrific events which saw two of our members being injured including one of our members being stabbed several times.

A member of the public had tailed through the gates at Bromley South where a mini block of four Revenue Grades was in effect. The member of the public was challenged and then struck one of our members with a fist knocking out one of his teeth. His colleagues came to his assistance before the individual stabbed one of our members 7 times in the legs, arms and torso. Two of our members were hospitalised, but have now both been released.

Having inspected the chain of care arrangements for our affected members, including others in the team and the wider Station environment, RMT believers such arrangements are satisfactory. This includes hospital visits, appropriate calls, support packages and point of contact provision.

RMT has received confirmation that those who require time off shall be protected from detriment by being paid full where sickness absence policy and management for attendance policy conditions shall not apply. This includes where one member under probationary period who is not contractually entitled to paid time off having those terms waived and paid in full.

Some of those affected will require on going mental health and trauma support.

The individual has been arrested and charged with section 18 grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, possession of a knife and possession with intent to supply and is scheduled to plead today. A review of the incident is to be undertaken and a report placed before the Joint Safety Committee (JST) for consideration. The terms of reference for this will be provided to RMT for our consideration in due course.

In the meantime, RMT has appointed an appropriate H&S representative to undertake an inspection of all safety and protective arrangements including risk assessments, supervisory and support methods, safety equipment and staffing. Any corrective measures identified will be submitted to the JST.

RMT has also requested that the Managing Director attend this JSC. We have also requested that blocks should not be undertaken unsupervised and without the support of BTP or Revenue Enforcement Officer presence until the review has been completed and measures adopted by the JSC; operational arrangements are therefore being reviewed today and a response to this request will be provided to us.

RMT has previously warned this company about its responsibility to protect front line workers form the risk of serious assault and likewise we have warned both the BTP and the company that BTP resources are insufficient. BTP has confirmed an increased ‘static’ presence at Bromley South although the duration is not clear.

This matter will be placed before your National Executive Committee this Thursday.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch
General Secretary