COVID-19 Measures - Network Rail

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/77/20
28th March 2020
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

COVID-19 MEASURES – NETWORK RAIL

Following my previous communication to you on 25th March there has been some dispute within the company about the important Network Rail documents I provided to you.  These were:

• COVID-19 SAFE WORK PRINCIPLES FOR NETWORK RAIL STAFF AND CONTRACTORS
• COVID-19 Prioritising Work and Minimising Exposure

These documents contain important principles and provisions for our key worker members at work during the current health emergency.

For some reason Network Rail managers have spent a lot of time causing confusion and dispute and even denying the existence of these documents that were put forward to your union by the company. There was an attempt by some managers to implement a "business as usual" approach and there have been attempts to implement a full workload and full staffing as if there were no health crisis and no new measures had to be undertaken.

I simply cannot understand this approach which was entirely unacceptable in the current circumstances. I now expect all Network Rail managers to conform to at least the standards in these documents and that the full revisions and intent will be quickly be put in place.

I can now confirm that the company at the most senior level has accepted and acknowledged these documents and have now provided them to RMT in their corporate format with Network Rail logo and branding. You will also find these documents on the company's Connect system.

These are therefore live documents and set out the company's headline approach to key workers during this emergency period.

I am providing them to you again in the Network Rail corporate format so that you are certain of their legitimacy. Your union expects these principles to be implemented in the workplace and for our members to be treated accordingly.

Of course, this emergency will continue to develop and we will continue to maintain dialogue with the company and develop further arrangements including issues such as working and protection arrangements when staff are in close proximity to each other.

Finally, I wish to thank all of our Network Rail members for their effort and commitment during this emergency period and urge them to maintain the highest health, safety and hygiene standards at all times.

Should members have any queries they should, in the first instance, contact their local health and safety rep.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary