USE OF AGENCY WORKERS, CLAPHAM YARD – SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

Our Ref: BR2/13/1

 

17^th July 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

USE OF AGENCY WORKERS, CLAPHAM YARD – SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

 

It has been reported that South Western Railway are using agency and outsourced workers to fill vacancies along the network.  These workers are often on inferior contracts compared to colleagues who are directly employed by the company. The company has not consulted the Union on this use of outsourced workers. 

 

The Union’s National Executive Committee has considered this matter and believes that national trend of using outsourcing as a cheaper alternative must stop and the exploitation of these outsourced workers continues to be a scourge to the industry.

 

Therefore, I have written to the company informing them that we are now in dispute with them over the use of agency and outsourced workers. I have also instructed our Fleet Company Council representatives to withdraw from the consultation meetings until further notice. 

 

Whilst an avoidance of dispute meeting has been requested the Union’s NEC has instructed me to prepare a ballot matrix of all affected members, should the need for a ballot arise. If your job title, address, or workplace has recently changed, please contact the RMT Helpline by Email at info@rmt.org.uk; alternatively, you can call the RMT Freephone Helpline number on 0800 376 3706, the RMT switchboard on 0207 387 4771 and ask to speak to the Industrial Relations Department. Additionally, if you know a colleague who has moved or changed jobs please inform them to contact the union on one of the above contact methods where we will be able to amend their details accordingly.

 

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

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary