ABROGATION OF POLICIES & PROCEDURES – NORTHERN TRAINS

Our Ref: BR2/20/1

 

19^th June 2024

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

ABROGATION OF POLICIES & PROCEDURES – NORTHERN TRAINS

 

I write with regards to the above matter and to inform you that I have received the following resolution from our Newcastle Rail & Catering Branch:

 

“That the members of Newcastle; Rail and Catering Branch are extremely dismayed and alarmed to learn that our members within Northern Trains Ltd and in particular the Newcastle Depot, are being subjected to blatant abrogation’s of established policies (Management for Attendance – MFA), for which are leading to punitive and unjust sanctions being levelled and administered against our members.  In recent events a member of the Conductor fraternity attended such a hearing, for which they demonstrated, as is required by the criterion of the policy, a significantly improved and sustained attendance in the workplace.  In such circumstances the policy indicates that there will be no progression through the respective stages and in fact acknowledging the length of the improved attendance would have resulted in the member coming out of the policy all together.  Yet despite this, the company representatives for whom oversaw the hearing, autonomously decided to abrogate from the criterion\\structure of the policy and decided to extend the monitoring period for another 12 months!  Despite our industrial representative strenuously defending our member and advising the employer of their mistake, the company simply dismissed their representations with a sarcastic and demeaning grin and proceeded on accordingly.

 

As this is not the first time actions similar to this have occurred, then in order to hold those Northern Trains Ltd Representatives to account, we instruct the General Secretary to write to the company in the first instance and to instruct them that an urgent meeting is to be facilitated between the Northern Trains Ltd, Regional Organiser and the Human Resources Director, accompanied by the Head of Employee Relations and Reward on the understanding of reviewing and correcting the referenced case.  Failure to action the meeting or to correctly administer the policy will result in a trade dispute being registered between our respective parties, with due consideration to balloting our Newcastle Depot members in the first instance for industrial action up to and including strike action.  If that fails to address said matters, then further consideration to balloting our entire membership within Northern Rail Ltd will also be considered.

 

Importantly to note if a member of our union violates a policy or process they are subjected to discipline proceedings.  Yet if a member of the management team violates a policy or process then nothing is done by way of rectification.  This inequality and inconsistency must cease. Persons for whom are supposedly competent/conversant with Policies and Procedures are idly standing by watching these injustices unfold and doing nothing to interject or correct matters.  Integrity and accountability is paramount.

 

The RMT Regional Organiser has been appraised of the particulars of the referenced case and is content to action the request of the Branch and escalate if not resolved.”

 

The matter has been subject to recent consideration by the union’s National Executive Committee, who note the resolution and are absolutely appalled at the disrespectful and dishonest behaviour of Northern Trains management at Newcastle Depot. This behaviour cannot be allowed to continue and the Union will use all available methods, up to and including an industrial response, should this shocking attitude towards our members not cease immediately.

 

The Executive Committee has instructed me to immediately write to Northern Trains and demand an urgent meeting be held with the Lead Officer, the Human Resources Director and the Head of Employee Relations, on the understanding of reviewing and correcting the referenced case.

 

Furthermore, if Northern Trains management fail to action the meeting or correctly administer the policy, then the Union will not hesitate to enter a lawful trade dispute and ballot our Northern Trains Conductor grade members located at Newcastle Depot, for industrial action. If this fails to address the matter, then the Executive Committee will consider balloting our entire membership within Northern Trains Ltd.

 

I trust this keeps you fully advised on the matter and I will, of course, update you on any further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary