DISMISSAL, P SYSUM, GUARD – GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY

To All GWR Train Manager & Conductor (Guard) Grade RMT Members at Gloucester

 

Our Ref: BR2/4/1

 

13^th September 2024

 

 

Dear Steve

 

DISMISSAL, P SYSUM, GUARD – GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY

 

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

 

“Members of Gloucester Branch are angered to learn of the dismissal of our Guards Health and Safety Representative over a spurious allegation of “assaulting a customer” during a train dispatch at London Paddington.

 

In the disciplinary hearing it became quite clear that the managers response was that the CCTV would show the evidence, yet Paul was attempting to protect himself from assault by the customer. The company has not given Paul any support, particularly as the customer had admitted to the company that he had assaulted our member.

 

It is quite clear that the company have fixated their intent to dismiss our member, not considered any mitigating circumstances and clearly not followed their own disciplinary procedure for dismissal of a RMT Health and Safety Representative. Instead, they have continued with their intent of dismissing Paul even though he is the Guards Health and Safety Representative for over 10-years, has been a Guard for over 17-years with a clean record, and is a well-respected Peer Trainer. Indeed, members of this Branch had already petitioned management in support of Paul over this incident, yet have refused to take anything into account, particularly with his health.

 

We call upon the General Secretary to instigate a dispute situation with GWR until Paul is reinstated into his substantive role without any loss of benefit.”

 

The matter has been subject to recent consideration by the union’s National Executive Committee who thank our Gloucester Branch for the resolution and note, with great concern, the content shared within. The Union stands firm in our commitment to not tolerate the mistreatment of our Union Representatives. 

 

Therefore, the Executive Committee has instructed me to inform Great Western Railway that a dispute situation now exists between our two organisations, until our Representative is reinstated into his substantive role without any loss of benefit. I have also been instructed to prepare a ballot matrix of all our GWR Train Manager and Conductor (Guard) grade members located at Gloucester. 

 

The Executive Committee has requested for an update report on the matter from the Lead Officer, which will be placed back before the union’s National Executive Committee for further consideration.

 

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