Newsletter: June, 2008

East London Rail Branch News Vol I, Issue 4 June 2008

0626 East London Rail
Branch New s
Email: eastlondonrail@rmt.org.uk

Secretary: Ed Shine– 07940340128 Chair: Glenn Wallis – 07789791224

National Union of Rail, Maritime, & Transport Workers’
GENERAL SECRETARY: Bob Crow

EAST LONDON RAIL BRANCH
DEMANDS ACTION OVER LIVERPOOL
STREET TICKET GATE SAFETY

SAFETY FIRST
STAFF SECOND
PROFIT LAST
EAST LONDON RAIL BRANCH notes regarded by management: i.e,
that this Union has many members none. Since management obviously
working on the Liverpool Street consider it a demeaning job, how
Automatic Ticket Gateline (ATG) are our members expected to have
and that these members have been, any self-respect for doing it, or any
are being, and continue to be de- reliance that they will be supported
meaned, their position denigrated, by such a management when it may
and put at risk by a hypocritical be required?
local management. This Branch notes that this de-
Although there are members on the manding job involves long hours,
Gateline with years of experience spending 100% of it on the feet
and knowledge these professionals without even the benefit of being
are insulted and demeaned by the able to move too far from the gate.
fact that their link seems to be con- The rostering and staffing of this
sidered a ’punishment block’ for link is such that members are regu-
other departments. There are mem- larly required to have PNB’s early in
bers of staff currently on the Gate- the shift or contrarily, extremely
line who are only there because late; and it is extremely common
they have been downgraded there for the spare turn to be utilized on a
from other positions which demon- permanent post which results in
strates precisely the degree of re- Breaks being delayed and curtailed.
spect with which the Gateline link is Continued next page

NEXT BRANCH MEETING: THURSDAY 17th JUNE 2008, 1700 HOURS:
The Railway Tavern Public House (Conservatory room), Angel Lane,
1
Stratford, London E15… CONTACT THE BRANCH SECRETARY FOR DETAILS

The Branch notes the serious safety Street station has increased by over
issue involved in their role, viz– they 80% to approximately 55 million ,
perform primarily a Safety role there are serious grounds for con-
(observing and managing passenger cern as to whether the ATGs are
flow through the gates and resolving either capable of coping with the
technical faults), but they are also flow (particularly during peak peri-
expected to provide a high level of ods) or compliant with modern
Customer Service whilst also deliver- safety regulations and demands.
ing basic ticket examination for the We also note the unwillingness of
Revenue Protection department. London Eastern Railway to provide
Since ticket examination is by its na- this branch or Union with a current
ture understood to be potentially con- Safety Case for the operation of the
frontational, the branch feels that be- Gateline. We are forced to assume
ing expected to perform the latter that their intransigence in doing so
two duties simultaneously puts staff is based on the fact that without
safety and well-being at risk whilst such a document, our members and
being a distraction from their safety officials hands’ are tied in confront-
duties, which could put passengers at ing the company’s casual and po-
risk (for example) if they get caught tentially dangerous attitude to staff
between the gates, which is a regular and passenger safety in the opera-
occurrence.) This is particularly the tion of ATGs.
case during periods of disruption East London Rail therefore requests
when staff have to wear high-visibility with immediate effect that the
vests and stand concourse-side of the Company is demanded to produce
gates in the face of a station full of the current or the most recent
increasingly stressed passengers. safety case for the ATG Operation
The danger of this has been demon- between platforms 1-18 at Liver-
strated far too regularly by the unfor- pool Street.
tunately not infrequent cases of staff This branch requests that if such a
abuse and assault Local Staff Repre- document exists, then this Union
sentatives and this branch have had will examine it minutely for infrac-
reported to them. tions in operation, maintenance
This branch has also had reports of procedures and rostering/staffing
managers attempting to force staff to issues that we believe are occurring
clean the bodywork of their gates everyday.
with household cleaning materials This branch requests that, if such a
with no form of personal protective document does not exist, then an
clothing and in complete and disre- immediate and detailed Risk As-
gard for their Job Description. Al- sessment should be carried out on
though this was prevented after RMT all the above issues that with the
intervention at a local level, it dem- full involvement of this Union’s
onstrates the disregard these staff Reps and Officials at all levels, in-
are held in. cluding full negotiations and Joint
The branch also believes there is an Working Parties as required.
immediate necessity to re-examine If the Company does not adhere to
and re-work the original safety prem- our demands, then we request that
ise of the Automatic Ticket Gateline the full safety and well-being for
at Liverpool Street Station. our members (and LER’S passen-
In 1998 when the Eastside Gateline gers) of the current ATG Operation
was installed, annual passenger flow are considered at the highest levels
through Liverpool Street station was of this Union.
approximately 30 million and these The branch also requests that, fail-
gates were ‘assumed' to provide for a ing the Company’s willingness to
maximum flow of 450 passengers per act on these issues, all members
minute during normal opera- are informed and reminded of their
tion’ (Safety Case for Operation and duty to refuse to work on the
Maintenance of GER Automatic Ticket grounds of Health and Safety, that
Gate Project (1998) LIV/ATB/001 Is- the Company is reminded of this,
sue 2.0, 2.4, 3-5). Also ‘the gates and that all staff are promised and
software is designed to run to the given the full support of the RMT in
year 2004’ (Section 2.7.1). this struggle to ensure safe working
This branch believes that, as annual conditions for ATG operators.
passenger flow through Liverpool

2


Bro. Simpson updated the Branch on
the lack of staffing on the Gospel Oak-
Barking line, of which as a result
members are being refused Annual
It was reported that hygiene is
Leave, and that staff may be being
severely lacking on the GOB line,
bullied into working Sundays too.
with the ‘Portaloo’ facilities at
Bro. Wallis advised keeping a record
Woodgrange Park and Wanstead
of the refusal in case it is later claimed
Park not being cleaned sufficiently
that untaken leave should be lost.
or often enough.
A report was passed to the Branch
from Bro. Tatum that a private secu-
Bro. Randall made it clear that he
rity contractor will be covering PNB’s
was livid at reports that the Union
on the GOB line. It was agreed that
accepted this state of affairs and
the Branch should establish whether
these conditions, making it clear
this is one security guard per station
that this was untrue and in fact
or a few to cover the whole line. PNB’s
had never even been negotiated.
are taken between trains, but this is
The RMT is putting pressure on
the members own time. The General
LOROL for new facilities as the
purpose Relief shift is meant to phone
ones that exist are insufficient and
each station to establish when relief is
those that are planned far too
to be required, but this is not happen-
small for what LOROL propose to
ing. So are the GPR’s being used to
equip them with.
cover other jobs preventing them from
providing PNB’s?
Staff will apparently be required
Also it was reported that LOROL are
to go up and down from this ac-
contracting out home jobs to Man-
commodation to platform level;
guard Security in breach of estab-
the Branch noted that if this was
lished PTR&R Agreements.
converted to a fully equipped in-
Manguard originally promised to pro-
formation desk then passengers
vide all night 1 to 1 emergency secu-
would come to them thus alleviat-
rity cover at stations but this has now
ing the risk of assault.
been reduced to the hours 20:00-
00:00. This firm appear also to be
It was also reported that Health &
sub-contracting.
Safety Representatives are finding
The Branch agreed that it was a prior-
it difficult to get released for
ity that permanent LOROL staff be
meetings which is both a direct
taken on and that private security
attack on the functioning of this
should be removed from covering in-
Union and the right of all employ-
house work and be left to provide all-
ees to a safe working environ-
night security. The GPR grades would
ment.
then be allowed to do their booked
jobs.

3


BRANCH MEETING
THURSDAY 19TH JUNE 2008 INCIDENT REPORT
RAILWAY TAVERN HOTEL The Branch heard that the lack of a
Team Leader on certain shifts can
STRATFORD mean that there is no chain of com-
17:00 HOURS mand if an incident was to occur; a
recent example being where a re-
The Chair, Glenn Wallis port was logged with the BTP and
(Network Rail) welcomed the 9 Willesden Control but the latter ig-
Branch members and Guests nored it. There was no subsequent
present. They were, from feedback and the members’ Line
LOROL, our Assistant Chair, Manager informed him that he as-
John Clarke, Dean Cooper sumed that the Team Leader would
(Stratford), S. Sharma, Darren be dealing with it the next working
Melvin (Haringay Green Lanes), day. The Branch agreed that if this
Lloyd Simpson (Wanstead had been an emergency, it demon-
Park), and Arnold Randall strates a complete lack of under-
(Gospel Oak). From NXEA at standing of duty of care on behalf of
Liverpool Street came the Sec- LOROL and a lack of knowledge of
retary, Ed Shine and Danny San- their own procedures. In the above
dall. Also welcomed was guest example, the fact that the BTP had
Derrick Marr from the RMT been called should have shown how
Council of Executives. serious the issue was.
Apologies for absence were
noted and accepted from Ron It was proposed by Bro Sharma that
Representatives elected should repre-
Smythe, Tracey Reeve, Dave sent different areas of the network or
Nubley and Danny Rouse Line from which they are based.
(Liverpool Street), and Ray Due to there being no Seconder, this
Tatum from LOROL. resolution Fell.
We urge ALL members who It was proposed by Bro. Melvin that
have not yet attended a meet- no Team Leader should be a Represen-
ing to do so. The Branch meet- tative of this Union; that we can repre-
sent them but they should not repre-
ing is YOUR forum. It is YOU sent us, as there may be a conflict of
who make the agenda; it is YOU interest.
who lead the discussions and
debates; and it is YOU who ulti- Bro. Marr explained that the RMT is an
all-Grades Union, and Bro. Wallis noted
mately make the decisions! A that actually these ‘Team Leaders’ are
very different process and at- in any case generally RO2’s appointed
mosphere to what we are all temporarily to Grade ‘A’ and perform-
ing a temporary supervisory role.
used to at work in fact.
Any and every member should Bro. Marr: until officially appointed
attend if possible; and likewise they remain in their own minuted role
and all members have a right to stand
every member should urge as Representatives. If members are
every other to be there too. To unhappy with the quality of their repre-
anyone with anything to say... sentation then they should stand
against those not considered capable.
SEE YOU ALL ON THE 17TH The Resolution was struck out due to it
JULY!!! being against Union Policy.

4


FETY
H & SA
HEALT
E 1 AND ING!
LIN E STAG EX T MEET Organis
er
GOB NS– N cting R
egional
illing to
ELECTIO the ranch that LT A at people ar.e w
REP’S formed n advis
ed th inations
bee ntil tu
ndall in as now have sufficient
no m say tha
B r o Ra head h il should Rep.
hite a nd Counc bers to
Brian W ep’s positions ompany ts mem re
stand fo
rr at the C he union co-op ctions a
ested th t rmal ele if their
rr sugg e held, ng info Branch
Bro. Ma c tions ar nc h Meeti ail uld
e as ele ext Bra h Willesden R o stand sho
such tim hat at the n wit wis h t e.
d t nction s w ho same tim
Propose sibly in conju andidate d at the
held- p
os . C
affected to be electe
memb ers are Reps
Safety
attend.
Bro. Clarke reported that
LOROL’s new uniforms
Bro. Randall reported on the
have now ‘arrived’ but are
LOROL re-structuring meeting
currently in Scotland…
of the 16th June.
Prior to the meeting, the Com- pany
was asked for pay scales and job de-
scriptions for all roles, and the information still has not been
received two months later, once again demon- strating the lack of re-
spect with which the company mistakenly believes they can treat this
Union.
Bro. Randall compared the aspirations of LOROL with those of this Branch:

ASPIRATIONS OF LOROL ASPIRATIONS OF R.M.T.
MANAGEMENT
• Parity of Terms and Conditions
• Flexible working. with London Underground staff.
• Increase in working hours- • Removal of Manguard Revenue
move from Early/ Late turns to Protection Agency Staff.
Early/ Middle/ Late turns. • Parity of RPI and MRA wages and
• Increase in Lone Working. Conditions
• Increase in Multi-Functional • Strengthen and defend the role and
staffing (to include platform/ responsibility of RPI’s (facing a re-
cleaning/ booking office work. duced role due to increase in ‘Oyster’
• General Purpose Relief shifts PAYG usage) and Guards (threat of
to take on a more senior role. Driver-Only Operation).
• Consistency in Annual Leave • Re-assessment of the RPI Incentive
arrangements. Scheme giving bonus points for Full
• Harmonization of Terms and Paid Penalty Fares rather than Nil- or
Conditions of Employment. Part-Paid penalties- with increased risk
of complaint/ assault from the travel-
ling public.

5


Received from Portsmouth Branch RMT seeking support for their Emergency Resolution
to the AGM. The aim of this Resolution is effectively to bring Union Disciplinary proce-
dure in line with Legislation and ACAS Procedures as much has changed and become
established legal fact since RMT Procedures were created and Portsmouth feel they are
now out of line with current thinking and possibly antiquated.
The Secretary urged the Branch to endorse this Resolution as a means of modernising
Union Procedures which should have the added benefit of preventing such long-drawn
out affairs such as Bro. Law’s case occurring again- and certainly being much quicker
and easier to resolve.
Proposed: Bro. Randall Seconded: Bro. Clarke Carried Unanimously

Liverpool street Gateline
resolution

The Secretary presented a Resolution to the
Branch on the safe operation of the Automatic
Ticket Gates and working conditions of Gateline
Staff over which there have been many complaints from staff at Liverpool Street for some
time now. They are generally fobbed off by a local management who seem to consider that
a) the rules governing the operation of the Gates are for them to know and members to
accept as they are put, without question, and b) that our members, whether on matters of
their own or passengers’ well-being have no rights at all in that matter.
The Secretary wished the thanks of the Branch to the (anonymous, by request) source who
furnished the Secretary with a copy of the original Great Eastern Railway ATG Safety Case
to be placed on record. LER has consistently denied both the existence of this document
and contradictorily, the right of our Gateline members to see it, presumably because they
know that this would highlight their safety breaches.
Bro. Marr stated that the Safety Case for ATG operation no longer exists, but acknowledged
that somehow it must have been supersede by something else. Normally pressure should
come from the shop floor to local management, but he also acknowledged that this was too
big an issue for the local Reps and machinery.
If endorsed by the Branch, this resolution would be dealt with as required.

Proposed: Bro. Shine Seconded: Bro. Sharma Carried Unanimously

R.M.T. RECRUITMENT DAY
The Secretary reported a request he had
received from Sister Carolyn Siddall from
the RMT Organising Unit that the Branch
consider a recruitment Day at Liverpool
Street and Stratford stations. He, Sis. Sid-
dall, and Bros. Wallis and Marr will liaise
together to organise this.
Bro. Marr suggested that the Branch organ-
ise a Recruitment Plan and a Membership
Audit encompassing all areas of the
Branch’s sphere of influence. Any members
wishing to be involved in this, please con-
tact the Secretary on 07940340128.

6


THOUGHT T h e
Branch
FOR THE MOMENT was updated on the on-
going case of ex- London Transport Regional Organ-
`Industrialism is iser Bro. Bobby Law. The RMT leadership has always
more than a refuted Laws’ allegations of unfair treatment and dis-
method of organi- missal, they have never done so in detail; now it ap-
sation– it is a sci- pears that they have finally settled with him a few
days before his Appeal was due to be heard at this
ence of fighting. It
years Annual General Meeting in Nottingham. The
says to the work- settlement, although subject to a confidentiality
ers: fight only at agreement, is believed to be similar to what he origi-
the time you select, nally asked for, and as such satisfactory to him.
never when the The Secretary congratulated Bro. Law on his resolve,
boss wants to but asked rhetorically why the situation was allowed
fight… even if the to drag on for so long when all the Union leadership
boss insults you eventually did was accept a deal they could have
and vilifies your Un- agreed eight months or so ago- so will those respon-
ion and refuses to sible for this delay and prevarication also face disci-
plinary action? –and, likewise, will the General Secre-
recognise it, take it
tary personally apologise to Bro. Law for disputing
lying down in the the justness of his case and complaints, and at least
slack season, but make it publicly clear to the membership that in the
mark it up in your face of his continued denials over the last year, that
little notebook.’ there was in fact a strong cases for the RMT to an-
swer?
Whereas Employment Law does not give the right to
automatic re-instatement, RMT policy does, and Bro.
Law had had a lot of support– although not enough-
in the Boardroom.
The Secretary also noted for the record: that at least
part of the reason that the Union has avoided a pub-
lic crucifixion in the media and that the RMT has not
been dragged through the Courts is due to the
strength of character,
honesty, and commit-
ment to maintaining
unity demonstrated by
James Connolly Bro. Law and his sup-
porters– even while un-
(1868-1916) der attack from ele-
Revolutionary leader, anti- ments of his own once
Imperialist, military com- proud Union.
mander, political theorist, East London Rail Branch
Trade Unionist, and workers’ wishes this fine Com-
defender. rade all the best in the
future!

7


NATIONAL UNION OF RAIL,
MARITIME, AND TRANSPORT
WORKERS
GENERAL SECRETARY- BOB CROW

(0626) EAST LONDON RAIL BRANCH

AGENDA:
NEXT BRANCH
Aa
MEETING NATIONAL EXPRESS/ LONDON
OVERGROUND
PLATFORMS- GATELINE- RETAIL-
THURSDAY 17TH JULY REVENUE PROTECTION- G UARDS-
2008 REPS’ REPORTS
THIS IS YOUR FORUM TO
17:00 HOURS DISCUSS YOUR CONCERNS,
THE LATEST ISSUES, AND
THE RAILWAY GIVE AND RECEIVE ADVICE
TAVERN HOTEL WE REPRESENT ALL
ANGEL LANE GRADES!!!
STRATFORD UNITY IS STRENGTH
SPECIAL GUEST:
BRIAN WHITEHEAD
ACTING LONDON TRANSPORT REGIONAL
ORGANISER

ON BY AT

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL: eastlondonrail@rmt.org.uk OR TELEPHONE:
GLENN WALLIS (BRANCH CHAIR): 07789 791 224
ED SHINE (BRANCH SECRETARY): 07940 340 128

8

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