DEFENDING THE SAFETY ROLE OF THE GUARD

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2012 :: RMTnews 15 RMT is in dispute with First Great Western over the company’s attempt to undermine the safety role of the guard on Class 180 trains being re-introduced on the franchise. FGW has used a variety of excuses to avoid restoring full guard control over the 180s’ doors – despite the very same trains being operated by Northern for two years with the guard fully in control. First Great Western initially tried to maintain the fiction that modification of the trains to give the guard full control of the operation of doors was all- but impossible. Yet the five sets that FGW intends to re-introduce on its franchise were modified in just such a manner before they were transferred to the former Northern franchise. The Northern company council had made it plain that the 180s would not be allowed into service there unless the guard had full control over the doors – and the necessary modification was speedily made. While the 180s were in use on Northern guards used a local door on short platforms, but before their return to FGW, the simple modification was inexplicably reversed. The union understands that a switching mechanism is already wired into the 180s that would make modification to give selective-door operation to the guard the matter of a single weekend’s work. The company tried to assure the union that the 180s would ‘only’ be used on the Thames Valley line, but it has already made clear that they would be used in place of high-speed trains if there were to be a shortage. Indeed, the sets were used as subs for HSTs before they went to Northern. The company is claiming that the modification demanded by the union would not be allowed by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) but has not explained why Northern was “allowed” to do just that. “RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that it was a case of First Great Western using the 180s as the thin end of the wedge to undermine the safety role of the guard ahead of the introduction of new intercity express stock. “Our members will not be hoodwinked, it is a clear attack on safety standards and RMT will support them all the way in stopping it,” he said. the casualisation of the industry and the use of agency staff will be a lever to launch inevitable attacks on members’ terms and conditions to drive down costs and increase private profit. Pat revealed that Rail Gourmet does not provide facilities for staff to take adequate breaks as there is nowhere secure for their trollies to be locked away. As staff are held liable for any thefts, any losses incurred have to be reimbursed to the company from their own pockets. Council of Executives member Owen Herbert spoke on behalf of the EC and welcomed the fact that there were so many new faces at the conference. Owen spoke about the work Brian Whitehead had done to secure a recognition agreement with Rail Gourmet and how, despite this, it had instructed managers not to let RMT on site. “This just goes to demonstrate the reputation RMT has for representing its members,” he said. Owen spoke of the need for workplace unity. “Workers are facing attacks from bosses, politicians and the media so it is vital that everyone sticks together. “If there is no foundation at work level we cannot represent our members” he said. Asked from the floor if the union should routinely be asking employers to bring cleaning and catering staff back in-house as part of pay negotiations, Owen agreed, adding that RMT was constantly campaigning for the entire rail industry to be brought back together under one publicly owned umbrella organisation. Resolutions brought passionate speeches from the floor for support in fighting attacks on workers’ rights by the train operating companies. Motions selected to go forward to this year’s AGM included one proposed by Paddington No 1 branch attacking the erosion of the travelling chef service due to a shortage of staff and a preference for providing only a trolley service was. The motion called for the restoration of the service leader role and this view was widely supported. It was proposed that evidence should be compiled documenting examples of the service being cancelled so a compelling case can be presented to employers. The second resolution to be put to the AGM came from Manchester South branch, demanding that all train operating companies supplied in-house staff to provide on- board catering as a pre- requisite of any future tendering for rail franchises. Next year’s conference iwill take place in Weston-Super- Mare on March 1 to 3. DEFENDING THE SAFETY ROLE OF THE GUARD Battle lines drawn on First Great Western over 180 stock