ABROGATION OF MANAGING FOR ATTENDANCE POLICY – NEXUS (TYNE AND WEAR METRO)

Our Ref: BR2/5/9

 

1^st November 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

ABROGATION OF MANAGING FOR ATTENDANCE POLICY – NEXUS (TYNE AND WEAR METRO) 

 

I have received deeply concerning reports from our Newcastle and Gateshead branch that Nexus has blatantly failed to adhere to the agreed Managing for Attendance (MFA) Policy. 

 

A member of staff has now been placed on an MFA stage despite suffering a RIDDOR recordable workplace accident. As members will be aware, this is in direct contradiction to clause 7.3.3 of the Managing for Attendance policy.

 

As a reminder clause 7.3.3 clearly states:

 

“Periods of absence due to pregnancy related absence, assault at work or an accepted industrial injury (RIDDOR reportable) will not be included in trigger levels.”

 

This blatant disregard and misapplication of the MFA policy is abhorrent and unacceptable. 

 

The Union’s National Executive Committee has considered this matter and are appalled at the company’s clear failure to adhere to the agreed policy. The NEC has instructed me to inform management that the RMT Union is now in dispute with the company over this issue. 

 

The Union’s NEC has also instructed me to inform the company that we expect immediate steps to be taken to remedy this situation, that staff members who have been incorrectly placed on MFA stages are dealt with appropriately and that the stages are immediately rescinded and expunged, and that the abrogation of the MFA policy is immediately stopped. 

 

To address this serious abrogation of the MFA policy, I have requested an immediate and urgent meeting between the Operations Director and our Nexus Lead Officer, Micky Thompson.

 

Furthermore, I have made it clear to Nexus that if this matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of this Union, namely the staged warning being rescinded and removed from staff members records, then the RMT Union will have no choice but to escalate the matter industrially by balloting all grades for strike action and action short of a strike. 

 

I trust this keeps you advised, and I will continue to keep you updated on any further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary