MANAGERS WORKING AS GUARDS - CROSSCOUNTRY

Our Ref: BR2/14/1

 

11^th October 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

MANAGERS WORKING AS GUARDS - CROSSCOUNTRY

 

Further negotiations have taken place with CrossCountry management to find a meaningful resolution to our dispute.

 

A set of proposals have been produced by the company that address several issues within Cross Country. Your RMT negotiating team have successfully negotiated a process to review and agree the required depot establishments, this process will be completed by 15^th November 2024.

 

In addition, the company have proposed additional remuneration for catering grades who have been undertaking the role of "competent person". The payment and usage of catering staff will cease on 31^st March 2025

 

The company will also support claims made by catering staff from the commencement of the emergency timetable for backdated payment.

 

Additionally, the company have confirmed that negotiations for Saturday working payments which are scheduled to take place before March 31st will be for all on-board grades.

 

Finally, the company have accepted the removal of competence from various managerial grades who have been undertaken the duties of our Guard Members. They have listed which managerial positions they require to maintain competence of the Guard and in which circumstances they can be used. This will come into effect from 1^st April 2025.

 

This offer above is also in addition to the accepted offer as outlined in my previous communications dated 27^th September 2024. For reference the offer accepted was:

 

Details of the offer from the company accepted on 27^th September 2024 for Train Managers and Senior Conductors Only are:

 

• To reduce the rates paid to contingents with effect from 29 September 2024 to that in effect prior to the commencement of the TRP.

 

• The company and the RMT will work together to ensure that the establishment calculator is robust and fit for the future. The scope will include future training courses and impact of fatigue management. The effectiveness of the calculator and recruitment programme will ensure that the use of contingent guards will be a last resort going forward.

 

• A £300 booking on payment for any Train Manager or Senior Conductor that works or has worked a rest day (applicable from the commencement of TRP to 08 November 2024). The payment will assist in ensuring maximum turn coverage and minimal reliance on contingent guards during the TRP.

 

• An increase in RDW rates Monday to Saturday of 1.5 (time and a half), effective from 10 November 2024 to 31 March 2025. The revised rates will ensure better coverage across the week, ensuring that CrossCountry services are covered by guards with contingents used as a last resort.

 

• An increase on Saturday hourly rates of 1.5 (time and a half), effective from 10 November 2024 to 31 March 2025. The additional change to hourly rates will further improve coverage with guards on a day that resource coverage is most constrained.

 

• A commitment to mutually address Saturday RDW and hourly rates post March 2025 as part of pay discussions or other associated discussions. These discussions will take place in advance of March 2025.

 

The full set of proposals from the company can be found HERE

 

The Union’s National Executive Committee has considered this matter and has congratulated your Lead Officer and negotiating team for achieving a suitable set of proposals. Therefore, I have been instructed by the Union’s NEC to inform the company of our acceptance of these proposals and that we are no longer in dispute with them over this matter.

 

I would like to congratulate you and your colleagues for your support during this dispute. There is no doubt that without your solidarity and show of determination that this offer would not have been achieved.

 

I will continue to keep you advised on any further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary