OBITURARIES/LETTERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2021 :: RMTnews 25 I t is with sadness that Cumbria Lakes branch report the passing of Brother Derek Milby. He worked on the Heysham Ferries before moving to the Windermere Iron Steamboat Package Company (WISCO) now Windermere Lake Cruises, eventually becoming a full time engineer on MV Tern and working as part of the relief crew on-board MV Swan and MV Teal sailing around Lake Windermere until he retired. He was RMT lead representative for many years at Windermere Lake Cruises and the members were at that time assigned to Liverpool Shipping Branch this enabled Derek to strike up a lasting friendship with the then regional organisers Ken Usher and the late Bill Anderson and regional office staff Andy Boyack and Andy Warnock – Smith amongst others. Derek inspired some members to follow in his footsteps and undergo training both locally and at the Bob Crow National Education Centre in Doncaster to become fully qualified reps and was thrilled to see his tireless work as a rep flourish even after his retirement when his successors founded the new Cumbria Lakes Branch 0393. Derek was a keen railway enthusiast working with the Furness Railway Trust. He became a member of the Lakeside Railway Society which was supporting the initiative to open and operate the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. Despite his limited availability during the running season, Derek became a loco fireman and was usually rostered on Saturdays when the boats had a reduced service in the early days. Derek’s cheerful demeanour and willingness to go the extra mile when meeting visitors to both the railway and the boats resulted in him forming many lasting friendships, including with the late David Shepherd CBE. He also had a wide circle of friends within the model railway world and particularly within the Furness Model Railway Club (of which he was a founder member) and the National Model Railroad Association. Derek was presented with a video camera on his retirement from Windermere Lake Cruises which he soon mastered. He set about recording steam specials, generously providing his many friends with copies of the subsequent DVDs. He also took it upon himself to record progress on the Furness Railway Trust’s projects and made a monthly journey to Preston to film. Derek will always be remembered as a cheerful, generous and loyal supporter to the Furness Railway Trust, and RMT and a man with so many friends. We extend our sincere condolences to his brothers, Don and Ken. I am the RMT platform staff representative at Taunton station and I have been on the railway for thirty-one years covering most of the station staff roles. Like me, you are probably been wondering what has happened to the station's harmonisation talks.   For the last five years I’ve task to task both FirstGroup/GWR and union reps on why this subject has been almost forgotten.   2007 was the year of the last harmonisation talks and a fresh idea of taking Wessex Trains at that time and bringing staff together. At the time this was a FirstGroup/employee buyout run company to make all the grades across the board simpler, give fair balance of pay/leave and future promotion opportunities.   Thirteen years have passed with some progress, but little is known to us as to the current state of the talks. As station staff we have all seen all other grades had their harmonisation talks and some (mostly drivers and guards) over the same period. They have had various updated talks and new agreed terms and conditions, leaving the station grades with no idea what the future holds. So now is the time to get your voice heard and join in on this discussion. It’s difficult at times in coming forward but I have taken this as far I can alone. We need all station grades to come forward and text/call/email your RMT rep or your local manager and ask them what they know or could find out about the stage we are at with harmonisation.  All our grades need updated agreements on annual leave, pay, job roles and an agreement on Sunday working. The whole point of the 2007 harmonisation was to update the grades from the Wessex stations and to have a simpler grading system to work from across the network.  I understand that during the last twelve months talks have stopped but I feel this is the best time for RMT to meet with GWR in order to make progress. Speak up as it’s your future and be part of getting a result for everyone in our station grades.   If, after reading this if you feel strongly about the harmonisation deal, please don’t be afraid and get involved. Make your voice be heard and ask for representation on this important subject.     Paul Finnimore, Station supervisor OBITUARY LETTERS MANY FRIENDS: Derek Milby pictured on the left next to the late Bob Crow and Cumbria Lakes Branch secretary Bernard Atkinson DEREK MILBY WHAT ABOUT STATION GRADES?