TransPennine Express: Performance Matters Briefings

Our ref: HSR

13^th December 2024

To:  ALL TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS MEMNERS

 

Dear Colleague

 

TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS (TPE): PERFORMANCE MATTERS BRIEFINGS

 

Your lead officer has brought to my attention briefing documents issued to members in the last week from TPE. Concerns have been raised with me, particularly from your lead conductors’ safety rep that there seems to be a significant lack of emphasis placed on safety being a priority for our members in the content of these briefings.

 

The December timetable was introduced this week which has seen an increase in TPE services. Couple that with the recent agreement reached between TPE, Northern and LNER that allows for travel with any ticket during times of disruption across these three rail operators, then the volume of passengers travelling over the Christmas period is set to rapidly increase.

 

Throughout 2024 at just about every safety forum RMT is aware of, TPE has complained about the unacceptable increases of dispatch irregularities that have led to many members facing disciplinary sanctions under safety review panels. It is therefore unacceptable to place our safety critical staff under more unnecessary pressure without reaffirming that safety remains our number one priority. 

 

I am therefore sending this message out to all affected TPE members highlighting that safety should always be your number one priority, regardless of the pressure you may feel under to deliver services on time.

 

I would also remind members of your rights under the company’s Work Safe Procedure and in legislation (Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996). You should remove yourself to a place of safety if you feel you are in serious and imminent danger and not to work if you believe your safety is compromised. I refer you also to RMT’s booklet on Serious and Imminent Danger, which can be viewed at:

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/serious-and-imminent-danger-booklet/.

 

            Please bring this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary