BREACH OF AGREEMENT, GUARDS AND COMMERCIAL GUARDS–SW TRAINS

Dear Colleague,

BREACH OF AGREEMENT, GUARDS AND COMMERCIAL GUARDS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

I am writing further to my letter dated 31st May 2017 in relation to the above matter and where I informed you that at the Avoidance of Dispute meeting the company Director present agreed that South West Trains had been acting outside of the GRA 7.4.1 agreement and that the practice should stop.

As you are aware, I wrote to SWT to demand that this agreement is honoured with immediate effect. However, I have received a totally unacceptable response from the company, which does nothing to address our concerns. Management are now stating that they feel the wording submitted did not reflect the agreement reached at the Avoidance of Dispute meeting. This is a complete fabrication and we do not accept that the wording contravened any agreements made at the AoD meeting and that no agreements were made to pass this item back to the Company Council Level. It is clear that the company are moving away from these agreements on the basis that they have a change in their leadership and Company Council representatives. I have expressed my disappointment with management that South West Trains has removed key issues and have clearly breached two sections with GRA 7.1.1 & 7.2.

Therefore, I have asked that the company outline which sections of the wording they believe are contravening the agreements made and to explain why they believe this to be the case. The company have been informed that we are now requesting an urgent meeting by Thursday between SWT, your Lead Officer and Company Council representatives to try and come to an acceptable position with the union.

Accordingly, I have informed the company that we are in dispute over these issues and should no agreements be made then a ballot for strike action and action short of a strike will take place. Therefore, please notify the union of any changes and ensure your membership details are up-to-date and correct by contacting the RMT Head office on 0207 387 4771 and asking for the Membership department. Alternatively, you can contact the RMT Freephone helpline on 0800 376 3706 or by emailing the helpline at info@rmt.org.uk and notifying them of any updates.

I will of course keep you fully advised of any further developments and future decisions on this issue.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary