PROVISION OF CATERING SERVICES, CAMBRIAN MAINLINE - TRANSPORT FOR WALES

Our Ref: BR2/14/2

 

27^th September 2024

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

PROVISION OF CATERING SERVICES, CAMBRIAN MAINLINE - TRANSPORT FOR WALES

 

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

 

“This branch is growing increasingly concerned about the provision of catering services on the Cambrian mainline between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury. Members feel that the service is being undermined to the extent the public are losing confidence in its provision and bringing refreshments from elsewhere. As sales then decline as a result of this it could allow a possible removal by stealth in the future. 

 

Hard working front line staff are struggling to perform their jobs to their full potential, with poor quality equipment such as trolleys which do not keep hot water sufficiently warm to serve hot drinks. A card payment only policy is preventing passengers who only have cash from using the service. Rostering is slapdash and chaotic, with services covered one day and not the next leaving passengers completely confused over whether they will be able to obtain refreshments on board the train. Priority seems to be given to covering services on the Cambrian Coast for passengers making local journeys who are less likely to make a purchase when long distance passengers are left to starve and dehydrate. There is seemingly no attempt made to cover services in the event of sickness or absence and some busy services which are advertised to the public in the passenger timetable as being provided with a catering service do not even have a diagram to cover them so are never catered. 

  

The Machynlleth–Shrewsbury portion of this service is key to passengers for catering as some passengers onboard are making direct journeys in excess of five hours to/from the Cambrian Coast, which is a long time to go without access to food or drink. When people discover the advertised catering service is not provided frustrations can be taken out on traincrew and other front line staff not involved in catering who are present. There seems to be insufficient staff in place to cover all advertised services and no activity to recruit adequate staff. It seems little is being done to retain staff, and when people are recruited it is using temporary fixed term contracts – the need for fixed term contracts seems unclear when the timetable of services to be covered is the same all year round and seem to divert management attention to the recruitment process rather than covering services. 

  

This Branch respectfully instructs the General Secretary to: 

 

• Challenge TFW to cover all services which are advertised as having catering services provided, including make efforts to cover services through overtime etc in the event of sickness or other absence. 
• Lobby TFW to transition catering staff on volatile fixed term contracts to permanent contracts. 
• Challenge TFW to reinstate the possibility of making payment for refreshments by cash. 
• Raise the importance of quality on-board catering with the Welsh Political Committee – and lobby Welsh Politicians to campaign for a properly resourced catering service covering all Cambrian Mainline trains throughout the day and evening.”

 

The matter has been subject to recent consideration by the union’s National Executive Committee who thank our Cambrian Branch for their resolution. The Executive Committee has taken the decision to instruct the Lead Officer to raise the following issues via the relevant machinery.

 

1.To ensure all Catering Services are covered through overtime and all available cover in the event of sickness, absence, or vacancies etc.

 

2.To challenge the number of catering members who are on Fixed Term Contracts when a transition to Permanent contracts is possible and would add stability to the Provision of Catering Services.

 

3.To raise the matter of cashless payment policy which is causing Catering members and Passengers inconvenience.

 

And to further:

 

Raise the importance of quality on-board catering via the Welsh Political Committee and lobby Welsh Politicians to campaign for a properly resourced catering service covering all Cambrian Mainline trains throughout the day and evening.

 

In accordance with the above, I am now acting on the instructions of the NEC decision and I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary