BREACH OF CCTV POLICY – OCS (ALSTOM AVANTI WEST COAST CONTRACT)

Our Ref: BR1/4/4

 

30 October 2024

 

 

Dear RMT Member

 

BREACH OF CCTV POLICY – OCS (ALSTOM AVANTI WEST COAST CONTRACT)

 

I am writing to advise you that one of your OCS colleagues on the Alstom/Avanti West Coast Contract is currently under investigation for allegedly not carrying out their role as an on-board cleaner.

 

While any investigation into allegations against RMT members is a concern, the fact that this specific probe is taking place as result of senior managers at Alstom and Avanti West Coast intensively reviewing CCTV footage is a major issue and not one which the RMT is willing to ignore.

 

Evidence which has been seen by RMT officials shows that senior managers at Alstom and Avanti have downloaded and used on-board CCTV footage to spy on OCS staff and see whether they have carried out their roles. This information is then being used by OCS against its staff

 

The policy for the use of the CCTV, video and on-demand audio recording for Avanti staff and on their trains, stations and property is as follows:

 

“…to help provide a safe environment for both our employees and customers, reduce the number of assaults on our employees, provide an accurate record of certain interactions and prevent, deter and detect crime.”

 

Alstom seems to not be concerned by this policy as senior officials managing the OCS contract choose to act as they see fit, which amounts to bullying and harassment of staff who they don’t even directly employ.

 

I am sure that all RMT members at OCS will want to ensure that your colleague who has been unfairly monitored by the CCTV is kept in gainful employment by OCS and no punitive action is taken against them.

 

This situation is made complicated, however, because OCS has not downloaded the CCTV, as it has been undertaken either by Alstom and/or Avanti to use against an OCS member of staff.

 

Your RMT Regional Organiser has already written to all three companies involved over this matter to raise our concerns.

 

I am sure that you and your colleagues are not prepared to be under such intense monitoring by a very over-zealous manager for Alstom and therefore action needs to be taken to stop this outrageous behaviour becoming the norm and needs to be stopped as a matter of urgency.

 

Your Regional Organiser submitted a report on this matter to your union’s National Executive Committee, which has noted the abhorrent and outrageous behaviour of all three companies in this matter.

 

In line with the recommendation of the Regional Organiser, the NEC has instructed me to declare a dispute with OCS and to investigate how our members’ concerns can be addressed legally.

 

I am therefore making the necessary arrangements to carry out these instructions and will keep you advised of all further developments.

 

In the meantime, please be assured that your union is doing all it possibly can to ensure any possible disciplinary action against your colleague is withdrawn and that your employer also ensures that your data is not being breached by either itself or by any outside company.

 

I trust this keeps you updated on the current situation and I will write to you again on this matter in due course.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary