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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2012 :: RMTnews
12
Conference was appalled by the
poor planning of line-side
blockages – formally T2/T12 –
by Network Rail across the
country.
Tim Breed, North Staff said
that poor planning and mistakes
were putting members’ lives and
careers at risk.
“I am not prepared to
continually attend disciplinaries
due to poor planning,” he said.
Network Rail lead safety rep
Adrian Yates, South London
Rail, called on signallers to
report issues arising from line
blockages to safety reps and
record them in order to get a
clearer picture nationally.
“We need to challenge
management in order to protect
signallers,” he said.
Kelvin Eastham, Three
Bridges, said that line blockages
were a big issue.
“Line blockages should be
properly done on a T3
possession and something needs
to be done before a tragedy
occurs,” he said.
Chris Knibb, Warrington, said
that line blockages were
“getting out of control”.
“We have no additional
protection and it is all down to
the signallers and, as for T3s,
it’s all sub-standard protection,”
he said.
Conference requested an
urgent meeting be held with
Network Rail to address these
concerns.
Gary Abbott, Bristol Rail
warned: “if it isn’t safe don’t do
it”.
Conference also opposed
changes to working practices
and rules that involve the
removal of secondary protection
for track workers carrying out
engineering works which also
involves signalling staff
becoming the sole means of
protection.
Mark Bellenie, North Staffs,
said that such practices placed
great risks to all rail workers
and the travelling public,
Kelvin Eastham said that NR
was one company and should
act like one and improve
communications over
maintenance issues.
MODERN AGREEMENTS
Phil Boorman, Ashford No1,
called for a review of existing
working agreements currently in
place for signal workers.
“We need one common
agreement book for all to abide
by,” he said.
He pointed out that
employment law had changed
considerably since the last
PTR&R book was produced
nearly 30 years ago.
“New area council
representatives are struggling to
make sense of the current
agreements.
“If we have one modern
agreement we can ensure that
the company abides by it,
ensuring that proper processes
for dealing with our members
IF IT ISN’T SAFE...
DON’T DO IT
Signalling grades
meeting in Folkestone
warn that poor
planning was putting
lives at risk