21 July 2016
RMT:
Our Ref: BR2/0146
Our Ref: BR2/0146
21st July 2016
Dear Colleague,
ROLE OF THE GUARD & EXTENSION OF DOO – SOUTHERN (GTR)
I write further to my letter dated 7th July 2016, to update you further on the current situation. I would firstly like to congratulate you and your colleagues for your continued strength, unity and resolve in opposing the extension of DOO and the imposition of the OBS role.
As you will be aware a collective grievance was submitted against the company’s ‘first come, first serve’ approach on remaining a conductor and those who want to move on to the new On Board Supervisor Role. I have since received a response from the company who have clearly failed to address the issues and blatantly refused to answer the central issues of our collective grievance. I will now be submitting this to our legal department in order to seek legal guidance and pursue this matter further. Additionally, I will be producing a ‘form of words’ for you and your colleagues to use when offered the On Board Supervisor posts which will be examined by our legal department.
In my previous letter I informed you that I would be contacting our sister unions ASLEF and TSSA, I can now confirm that they have welcomed a meeting and this will be taking place shortly to discuss GTRs cuts in service and future developments. I have since met with the Transport Select Committee and the company, however, little progress was made. Additionally, I have also asked the new Transport Minister to meet to discuss the situation with southern.
After months of providing an appalling service, it is disgraceful that GTR still find it acceptable to cut nearly 350 trains a day. It is therefore utterly shocking and shameful that the company are asking you and your colleagues to learn routes that are covered by another depot in preparation for the new OBS role the company want to bring in.
As a result of GTR’s continued total failure to meet our demands, and after consultation with your unions officials, Members are instructed not to undertake any route learning for routes other than those normally learnt by Conductors and Conductor Instructors at their depot from:-
• 0001 Thursday 28th July 2016 until further notice.
I urge you all to continue your outstanding support and solidarity and to stand shoulder to shoulder with your colleagues during this industrial action.
SUPPORT THE ACTION
STAY UNITED & FIRM
NO TO DOO!
Yours sincerely
Mick Cash
General Secretary
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: