ROLE OF THE GUARD, DESPATCH ARRANGEMENTS, CREWE – AVANTI WEST COAST, WEST MIDLAND TRAINS, EAST MIDLANDS RAIL & LONDON NORTH WESTERN

Our Ref: BR2/14/2

 

9^th October 2024

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

ROLE OF THE GUARD, DESPATCH ARRANGEMENTS, CREWE – AVANTI WEST COAST, WEST MIDLAND TRAINS, EAST MIDLANDS RAIL & LONDON NORTH WESTERN

 

I write with regards to the above matter and to inform you that I have received a report from the Lead Officer for Avanti West Coast, indicating that West Midland Trains are proposing to introduce Conductor despatch from a number of platforms at Crewe, as a result of delays in despatching West Midland Trains/London North Western services. The Lead Officer also reports that East Midlands Railway services are being self-despatched at Crewe, which adds to the impact upon Avanti West Coast staff duties at the station.

 

The matter has been considered by the union’s National Executive Committee who note the Lead Officers report and the concerns outlined, regarding proposals to implement widespread Guard/Conductor/Train Manager despatch of West Midlands Trains, London North Western and East Midlands Trains services at Crewe station. These proposals appear to be linked with further plans by Avanti West Coast to review rostering and roles of our Station and Retail members at their stations including Crewe.

 

The Executive Committee believes that the proposals will have a detrimental effect on our Station grade members jobs and current roles, as well as presenting wider safety issues. Therefore, I have been instructed to carry out the following:

 

1.        Instruct our West Midlands/London North Western and East Midlands Trains Guards/Train Manager/Conductor Company Council Representatives to Fail to Agree these proposals if formally presented.

 

2.        Instruct our Avanti West Coast Station Grades Company Council to Fail to Agree the company’s current Rostering and Roles Review proposals.

 

3.        To seek updated reports from the relevant Lead Officer of the referenced companies following the next stage of the Collective Bargaining process.

 

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