BRING CATERING IN-HOUSE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2014 :: RMTnews 23 RMT’s annual conference of hotel, catering and ancillary grades meeting in Birmingham renewed the union’s call for all catering to be brought in-house and pledged to fight to defend on-train catering. Graham Roberts, Plymouth No 1, outlined how the InterCity Express Programme (IEP) will have a devastating effect on catering members on the East Coast and Great Western routes because new trains are being designed without buffet or shop facilities. He explained that RMT has been carved out of the consultation process because management were aware of the union’s opposition to the lack of buffet facilities, despite the fact that the models can still be modified to accommodate this. “The union needs to pressure the Department for Transport to reverse the proposals and to provide a buffet car on the new trains. Our members should be able to work with dignity in a safe working environment which a buffet car provides,” he said: Becci McGovarin, Plymouth No 1 called for all caterers to be given the option of having first aid training as they are often the first person to come across a passenger in distress. Pat Collins, Council of Executives welcomed delegates to his home city and reported back on the union’s work – and the various difficulties that had been encountered – with regard to the grade over the last year. RMT assistant general secretary Steve Hedley told delegates that the McNulty report showed that catering grades are in for a rough ride. “Along with guards, their roles are seen as non-essential when it comes to franchise bids. “The InterCity Express Programme intends to reduce catering and have the guards’ cabin removed. They only want catering for First Class. Our reps are calling for catering across the grade,” he said. He added that it is not always profitable for catering to be contracted out because of the minimum wage. This has left Rail Gourmet as the major player in regard to outsourced catering and therefore it is a real priority for RMT to be organised there. “There have been lots of problems with Rail Gourmet with regard to the bullying of Reps and harassment of staff and the abuse of terms and conditions and rostering agreements. “They have a recognition agreement with RMT, but they don’t want the union there” he said. Derek England, Leeds City called on contractors to pay staff a decent wage. “All Train Operating Companies have a moral and ethical duty to pay its subcontractors the Living Wage and London Living Wage as they do with staff that are directly employed,” he said. Conference called for the union to step up its campaign to highlight the effects of the McNulty report across the industry and to continue to oppose the report to protect the catering grade. Graham Roberts said that the implementation of the McNulty Report were already taking place across the rail industry, which also put the future of the catering grade at risk. “The report gives TOCs the right to casualise labour, meaning a ‘race to the bottom’ in terms of pay, terms and conditions. “Conference has witnessed the rise in agency/contract workers working in stores or on board catering as well as the erosion of services provided on trains such as restaurant services and the closure of buffet car facilities which has led to our members working trolley services in an unsafe environment,” he said. Delegates congratulated conference secretary Becci McGovarin for the hard work she had put in organising the event during a difficult year for the grade and ensuring such a strong turnout. BRING CATERING IN-HOUSE The annual RMT catering grades conference calls for on-board catering to be brought in-house