MANAGERS WORKING AS GUARDS – EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAYS

Our Ref: BR2/14/1

 

24^th October 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

MANAGERS WORKING AS GUARDS – EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAYS

 

I have received reports that during discussions relating to equal pay for rest day working, East Midlands Railways refused to address the issue and instead ignored the reasonable requests put forward by your representatives.  

 

It is unacceptable that management are creating a two-tier workforce. It is appalling that managers get a substantial enhancement when they work a train. This is made worse when you consider that managers seem to be using these arrangements as a get rich scheme. There is clear evidence that managers are making a substantial amount of money with this arrangement by splitting the trains between them, with one working two hours and then another manager works another two hours. This hypocrisy cannot stand, as were this a Senior Conductor or Train Manager they would be doing all the required trains as a shift.

 

The Union’s National Executive Committee has considered this matter and has instructed me to raise this matter with the company and request the following information: 

 

1. The rates paid to Managers when working trains as a Guard
2. The amount that has been paid in total to Managers when working as a train Guard.
3. Finally, on how many occasions has a manager worked a train as a train Guard.

 

This matter is currently within the machinery and is at the Avoidance of Dispute (AOD) stage. 

 

The above request for information, as well as the request from RMT members are not unreasonable. I have asked that the company start taking these matters seriously and address the disparity in rest day working payments.

 

I have requested that your Lead Officer provides an updated report following the AOD meeting, which I will place back before the Union’s NEC for further consideration.

 

I trust this keeps you advised, and I will update you on any further developments when they arise. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary