STOOD OFF ARRANGEMENTS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2018 :: RMTnews 27 T he arrangements usually known as ‘Stood-Off’ are a set of longstanding agreements established under British Rail that are still in place with Network Rail for staff who are certified as unable to continue in their own role, but are able for alternate duties - Suitable Alternative Work. The arrangements apply to Network Rail staff who are still governed by the Conditions of Service books (Red and Blue Books). Originally the arrangements were unpaid and enabled staff to be ‘Stood-Off’ without pay but kept on the company’s books in the hope that alternative work may become available. However, from 1979 the agreement was revised so that staff with 10 years’ service could be ‘Stood-Off whilst awaiting selected work’ are paid their basic rate of pay for a maximum period of two years. At the end of that period, if they have not been accommodated they will enter the Ill health severance arrangements and have their employment terminated. This briefing sets out the arrangements that are applicable to our members covered by the Red and Blue Conditions of Service Books, the processes that are to be followed, and guides Representatives and members on how they should be implemented when dealing with cases. The Stood Off arrangements were negotiated and revised with British Rail in the 1960s and 1970s and were set down in the Red and Blue Conditions of Service books produced by the union. They remain contractual Conditions of Service for members covered by the Red and Blue Books in Network Rail today. This RMT booklet sets out those entitlements and provides guidance for representatives and members who may have to deal with processes relating to members who are deemed as fit for restricted duties by the Occupational Health Service. The Stood Off arrangements are conditions of service agreed by the union for our members and are contractual entitlements. From time to time Network Rail managers attempt to either deny that the Stood- Off entitlement still exists, to interpret the arrangements in their own way, or to rush people through a process that results in the premature termination of employment through ill-health severance. This guide confirms that the arrangements are still valid, in place as part of our collective agreements with Network Rail and form part of our members’ contractual entitlements. By referring to this guide Representatives and members can ensure that the company sticks to those entitlements so that members can enjoy the full benefit of their hard-won conditions of service including, where applicable, up to two years paid at basic rate away from their role and workplace. Any representative or member that encounters difficulty in applying these arrangements should contact their Regional Office in the first instance for assistance with the case. The full texts of the Conditions of Service books from which this guidance booklet derives are available through the RMT website www.rmt.org.uk in the members section on the pay and conditions database. This booklet should be useful in dealing with matters relating to Stood Off but remember that assistance can be obtained via your branch secretary, local and area representatives, national coordinators, regional office and head office where copies are available to members. STOOD OFF ARRANGEMENTS A timely RMT publication explains agreement with Network Rail regarding staff unable to continue in their own role