REPRESENTING CATERERS

20 A well-attended hotel, catering and ancillary grades conference meeting in Poole called for catering services to be expanded, an end to lone working and for jobs to be brought in-house. RMT assistant general secretary John Leach told delegates that new government legislation effectively meant that rail passenger franchises must be run in the public sector. However, he pointed out that open access rail operators were not subject to the new legislation, something the union opposed. “The government plans to establish Great British Railways (GBR) to absorb Network Rail and the train operating companies which will mean effectively that the majority of rail workers will have just one employer. “This represents a significant victory for the union after years of campaigning through successive governments. “Under privatisation, catering provision has been watered down or completely removed in the drive to reduce staffing costs and increase profits. “As part of the GBR consultation process, RMT will be making the case to expand and enhance catering staffing and service provision and insource those jobs which are currently outsourced,” he said. He outlined the union’s campaign to mobilise members around insourcing, recruitment and organising among outsourced workers such as cleaning, catering, security and train maintenance and sub-contracted infrastructure workers.  “We are an all-grades union, and we need to reflect that in our aspirations and help raise the confidence of all workers,” he said. Mandy Evans, Swansea No1 called for an end to lone working to lower the risk to catering workers. “This is a serious issue because of the abuse and assaults we face every day,” she said. Roxsanne Lesieur, Leeds said that crime and abuse was widespread on the rail network. “It’s so important that we raise this issue as these levels of crime are growing,” she said. BRING BACK THE BUFFET Scot Wheeler, Paddington No1 said that rolling stock refurbishment combined with the advent of GBR represented an opportunity to establish an industry-wide standards for catering and the return of buffet services. “As a result, we need to relaunch the Bring Back The Buffet campaign to enhance the experience of passengers. “A buffet can serve as a mitigating factor against anti- social behaviour and assaults. “We need a static point of service for catering staff, it’s safer and we are less prone to injuries on jolting trains,” he said. Maggie Smith, Bristol Rail said that it was the perfect time for such a campaign with GBR coming online. “We need to re-introduce the buffet as we are getting injuries with the continual use of trolleys which also threatens the safety of passengers,” she said. Mandy Evans said that a lot of work went into the previous buffet campaign. “We already have the arguments, and they need to be raised again,” she said. Sarah Howells, Swansea No1 called for a national catering badge and lanyard to increase the identity of the grade. CHRIS KEFFORD AWARD This year’s Chris Kefford award was presented to longstanding president of the grades conference Mandy Evans. Presenting the award, John Leach paid tribute to Mandy’s work in the union for over 30 years. “Mandy has served this conference and the union for many years with great humour and always encouraged members to stick up for themselves and to take up positions,” he said. Conference next year will take place in Tenby. REPRESENTING CATERERS Catering grades call for return of full buffet services AWARD: John Leach presents the annual Chris Kefford award to longstanding conference president Mandy Evans