OFF-TRACK AND OLE VACANCIES – NETWORK RAIL

Our Ref: BR4/13/2

 

20 March 2024

 

 

Dear RMT Member

 

OFF-TRACK AND OLE VACANCIES – NETWORK RAIL

 

Avoidance of Disputes meetings have been held over vacancies in the Off-Track and OLE departments at Network Rail in Scotland.

 

In terms of the discussions surrounding the Off-Track function, your representatives queried Network Rail’s assertion of 37 new posts being created on the basis of whether these were additional posts or merely the filling of positions which had previously been cut.

 

Network Rail explained that, while the headcount number required by the company in Scotland was for 75 Off-Track posts, that number had risen to 87, and that the 37 figure mentioned was on top of that total, due to the workload involved and the sizing exercise which had taken place.

 

Network Rail also stated that the filling of the additional vacancies and those that had already existed were due to the Modernising Maintenance post-implementation reviews taking place and the phasing-in of filling the vacancies to ensure that staff had opportunities to apply for promoted roles and for those who had been displaced.

 

In regards to the discussions focused on the OLE function in Scotland, your representatives highlighted problems with the sizing of the teams as it had an impact on staff and backlog of work. Reps further pointed out that the failure to fill vacancies in the section had led to fatigue and other issues which had seen the work not being covered. Additionally, RMT stated that there had been vacancies left unfilled for far too long and that this could have led to serious safety issues.

 

Management recognised that the recruitment process was too lengthy and that local managers were now being encouraged to enter discussions on this at an earlier stage, confirming that the vacancies would be advertised shortly.

 

Your representatives at both sets of discussions reported on their satisfaction on how the process was now being handled and on the action points management accepted they will now address, while many questions may still remain with the wider issues on how both functions can still operative adequately with Modernising Maintenance sizing and its accompanying post-implementation review process.

 

The view that the outcome of both avoidance of disputes meeting was the best which could have been achieved in the current climate, with the proviso that members and reps remain vigilant, has now been endorsed by your union’s National Executive Committee and disputes no longer exist.

 

The issues raised above will now be closely observed to ensure no backsliding takes place on the commitments made by the company.

 

I trust this keeps you advised of the situation.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary