Category: RMT

The RMT is a member led union (RMT Rule 1). You can directly influence our policies, actions and who our officers are.

 

Any member (RMT Rule 2) is allowed to attend a branch or regional council meeting to hear updates and take part in your democratic processes

 

Branches (RMT Rule 10): The main role of a branch is to organise workers in its sphere and will discuss and vote on many different issues. If the issue is an industrial matter, then it can be sent directly to the National Executive. If it is other matters then it is sent to the Regional Council.

 

Regional Councils (RMT Rule 11): Any member can attend, but usually a branch will nominate a delegate (with their voting rights). A Regional Council’s primary role is recruitment and
organisation of members in their sphere and campaigning in support of union objectives. They may have reports from their regional organisers and NEC Member and will debate items that have been sent to them by Branches. Successful items are sent to the National Executive.

 

National Executive (NEC) (RMT Rule 4): Is the ruling body of your union. It oversees the general administration and is the government of the RMT in between annual or special general
meetings. They have complete policy and decision making powers and may interpret the RMT Rule Book or issues where it is silent. There are 16 (12 General Grades and 4 Shipping) of them and they are elected by the members in their Region to act for us.

 

President (RMT Rule 5): The President oversees meetings of the National Executive, they are, in effect, the chairperson of the meeting. They are the custodian of the Rule Book and the
heartbeat of the RMT. They have the right to speak but not vote. There is only one and is elected by all members in the RMT.

 

General Secretary (GS) (RMT Rule 6): The GS obeys the instructions of the National Executive and is responsible for the general correspondence of the RMT, signs the documents and is your face. They can address but not vote at NEC Meetings. They oversee the work of Regional Organisers and the AGS’s/ National Secretary. They are elected by all members.

 

Asst General Secretary (AGS) (RMT Rule 7): Work under the direction of the General Secretary. There are two of them, with the one that has been in position longest becoming the
Senior AGS. That person undertakes the role of the GS in their absence. They are elected by all general grades members

 

National Secretary and Asst National Secretary (RMT Rule 8): Work under the direction of the GS and oversee matters in the Offshore and Shipping Industry. They are elected by shipping
grades.

 

 

HOW THE RMT UNION WORKS

STONEHAVEN

 

Further to Head Office Circular NP/200/20, 17^th August 2020, members will be aware of the tragic loss of life of an RMT Guard member, an ASLEF train driver and a member of the travelling public in a train crash at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. At their meeting of 28^th August the National Executive Committee (NEC) have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

 

Following the tragedy at Stonehaven on Wednesday 12^th August 2020 where all six vehicles of train 1T08 derailed after striking a landslip at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire in which our member Donald Dinnie – the train’s conductor, Brett McCullough – the train’s driver and a passenger Christopher Stuchbury suffered fatal injuries in the accident. We note that, currently, Police Scotland are leading investigations but that other investigation by Network Rail, RAIB and ORR have, or will soon commence. Our members will be represented by the RMT as appropriate and wherever needed.        

 

We further note at least two further incidents of a similar type in this current period; at Polmont on 12^th August 2020 and; at Wallers Ash Tunnel near Guildford on 27^th August 2020. RMT have serious concerns about Network Rail’s overall approach to the management of civil work. While we note the establishment by Network Rail of a Weather Action Task Force and an Earthworks Task Force this union believes that the outcomes of this work must be fully funded from the public purse. General Secretary is instructed to secure agreement on this from both Network Rail and ORR.

 

The tragedy also highlights that the driver of the train was working to the instruction of the railway Rulebook and that in order to prevent a further incident of this type the rail industry have had to develop a new set of rules and instructions for train drivers to be published shortly in the WON (Weekly Operating Notice).

 

RMT wish to acknowledge and praise the work of all of our representatives who have or will have played a part in the aftermath of this tragedy. The support provided by     our officers and officials of Aberdeen No.1 Branch, our Scottish Regional Council, our   Regional Organiser, our Network Rail Coordinator and Lead Union Health and Safety Representative and Area Health and Safety Representatives demonstrate that unity through safety is one of the RMT’s fundamental principles. In addition we pay tribute to the exemplary actions of our guard member travelling on the train.

 

Finally we note the expressions of condolence and support received from a range of organisations both at home and abroad including trade unions, campaigning organisations and employers and instruct the General Secretary to acknowledge these communications.

 

Branches, Regional Councils and all members to be advised.

 

In addition to noting the report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee the NEC also agreed to donate £5000.00p to the Condolence Fund that has been established. Please see Head Office Circular MF/FIN/181 for details of how to donate to the fund.

 

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep you informed of developments.

Yours sincerely,

• Brighton to London Terminals current season ticket price is £4,580 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £4,351, a saving of £229. Over 5 years the saving would be £1,145 and the new season ticket price would be £3,435.
• Cambridge to London Terminals current season ticket price is £5,252 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £4,989.40, a saving of £262.60. Over 5 years the  saving would be £1,313 and the new season ticket price would be £3,939
• Glasgow to Edinburgh Terminals current season ticket price is £2,504 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £2,379 a saving of £125. Over 5 years the saving would be £626, and the new season ticket price would be £1,878.
• Swansea to Cardiff Terminals current season ticket costs £1,844 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,752, a saving of £92. Over 5 years the saving would be £461 and the new season ticket price would be £1,383
• Stafford to Birmingham Terminals current season ticket costs £1,920 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,824, a saving of £96. Over 5 years the saving would be £480 and the new season ticket price would be £1,440.
• Macclesfield to Manchester Terminals current season ticket costs £2,148 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £2,041 a saving of £107. Over 5 years the saving would be £537 and the new season ticket price would be £1,611.
• Bradford-On-Avon to Bristol Terminals current season ticket costs £2,268 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £2,155, a saving of £113. Over 5 years the saving would be £567 and the new season ticket price would be £1,701
• Hebden Bridge to Leeds Terminals current season ticket costs £1,520 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,444, a saving of £76. Over 5 years the saving would be £380 and the new season ticket price would be £1,140.
• Warrington Stations to Liverpool Terminals current season ticket costs £1,640 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,558, a saving of £82. Over 5 years the saving would be £410 and the new season ticket price would be £1,230.
• Hexham to Newcastle Terminals current season ticket costs £1,384 per year. A 5% fare cut would mean the new season ticket price is £1,315, a saving of £69. Over 5 years the saving would be £346 and the new season ticket price would be £1,038.

• RMT’s Report ‘Profiteering at a time of Crisis’  found that Britain’s private rail companies stand to make almost £500 million in profits out of the crisis on UK railways over a 12 month period, if the government goes ahead and extends the current Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) bailouts. Analysis of ministerial answers to questions in Parliament indicate that the government’s EMAs will see the government hand over around £115 million in operating profits to the train operating companies over the initial 6 month period and £231 million over a 12 month period. The train operating companies are currently lobbying the government to extend the agreements for a further 18 months. https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/profiteering-at-a-time-of-crisis-rmt-report/

Station commuted from into London terminals	Current season ticket price	Season ticket price with 5% Reduction	Percentage reduction	Total annual saving after 5% reduction	Total saving over 5 years	Season ticket price after 5 year reduction
Brighton to London	£4,580	£4,351	5%	£229	£1,145	£3,435
Cambridge to London	£5,252	£4,989.40	5%	£262.60	£1,313	£3,939
Glasgow to Edinburgh	£2,504	£2,379	5%	£125	£626	£1,878
Linlithgow to Edinburgh	£1,872	£1,778	5%	£94	£468	£1,404
Newport to Cardiff	£840	£798	5%	£42	£210	£630
Swansea to Cardiff	£1,844	£1,752	5%	£92	£461	£1,383
Stafford to Birmingham	£1,920	£1,824	5%	£96	£480	£1,440
Stratford-Upon-Avon to Birmingham	£1,676	£1,592	5%	£84	£419	£1,257
Glossop to Manchester	£1,208	£1,148	5%	£60	£302	£906
Macclesfield to Manchester	£2,148	£2,041	5%	£107	£537	£1,611
Bath Spa to Bristol	£1,736	£1,649	5%	£87	£434	£1,302
Bradford-On-Avon to Bristol	£2,268	£2,155	5%	£113	£567	£1,701
Huddersfield to Leeds	£1,428	£1,357	5%	£71	£357	£1,071
Hebden Bridge to Leeds	£1,520	£1,444	5%	£76	£380	£1,140
Widnes	£1,388	£1,319	5%	£69	£347	£1,041
Warrington Stations	£1,640	£1,558	5%	£82	£410	£1,230
Hexham	£1,384	£1,315	5%	£69	£346	£1,038
Middlesborough	£2,224	£2,113	5%	£111	£556	£1,668

RELAXATION OF THE LOCKDOWN IN ENGLAND – UPDATED RMT INFORMATION

 

As you will be aware be the government have taken the decision to further relax lockdown measures in England on 4th July 2020. From this date the government have stipulated that if people cannot keep a 2 metre distance they should reduce the risk by maintaining a 1metre plus distance and take suitable mitigations.

 

To take into account the decision by the government to further relax lockdown measures, discussions have taken place at the Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum (RICF), the body comprised of the rail unions and main rail employers.

 

As a result of those discussions and representations by your union, the RICF has produced a new document which can be found here: https://bit.ly/3gr5EXo

This document was reported to your NEC who have noted the report.

 

I would specially draw your attention to the following extract and tables from the RICF documents:

 

“The primary position is to maintain 2 metres where possible, however, 1 metre plus will be considered where normal work tasks are required to be undertaken and appropriate mitigations can be applied.

 

Nos.	Interaction	Mitigations
1	Employee – Employee	Arrangements for operational workplaces / offices / depots / messrooms etc. are already planned and in place to maintain 2 metres and this will continue to be applied. However, recognising where location specific operational challenges, or needs, identified in locations and/or premises that makes this no longer possible to maintain, then any consideration to reduce to 1 metre plus will need to be discussed and agreed as part of any local joint risk assessment process and engagement with local representatives.
2	Passenger – Employee	Normally, employees should seek to maintain 2 metre distance where possible to do so when interacting with passengers. Where this is not compatible with the reintroduction of a full customer service offering with station or on-board tasks and activities then any consideration to reduce to 1 metre plus will need to be discussed and agreed as part of any local joint risk assessment process and engagement with local representatives. Consideration should be given to a temporary redesign of the activity to enable social distancing to be achieved within a safe system of work.
3	Passenger – Passenger	Passengers will continue to be encouraged to try and maintain 2 metres social distancing wherever they are able to do so. However, it is recognised that the passenger expectation will be to apply 1 metre plus in line with Government communications and the policy on the mandatory requirement for the wearing of face coverings when using public transport as an appropriate mitigation. This can be facilitated by applying the Government guidance through passengers sitting or standing side-by-side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements and/or seat reservations on train permit.

RMT advice

 

• If you’re not well – don’t come to work and don’t travel

 

• If you’re at work wash your hands frequently with soap and water/ hand sanitizer

 

• Where possible work from home

 

• Maintain at least 2 metres social distancing at work

 

The employer should ensure the following:

 

• Restrict passenger travel to essential journeys only for as long as possible

 

• If 2 metres social distancing can’t be maintained, agreed protection must be in place

 

• Please note in respect of above the employers have agreed any consideration to reduce to 1 metre plus in respect of employee to employee interaction will need to be discussed and agreed as part of any local joint risk assessment process and engagement with local representatives

 

• Also in respect of above the employers have agreed any consideration to reduce to 1 metre plus in respect of passenger to employee interaction will need to be discussed and agreed as part of any local joint risk assessment process there will need to be a temporary redesign of the activity to enable social distancing to be achieved within a safe system of work.

 

You will note this section references on-board tasks and activities, which could include for example revenue collection and catering. To be clear it is your union’s position that there is not an expectation that staff carry out such activity under two metres if passengers are not wearing masks. Staff also have the option of deciding not to do this under safety grounds. Indeed previous RICF principle documents recognise you have a legal right to take yourself to a place of safety if you feel you are in danger.

 

• Please note that in respect the risk assessments and safe systems of work in the circumstances outlined once agreed locally must then be referred company level for final agreement.

 

The following RMT advice also remains in place.

 

• Non-PPE standard masks such as surgical masks and face coverings are no excuse to allow over-crowding or breaches of 2 metre social distancing

 

• Tasks must be Risk Assessed and Safe Systems of Work created and agreed with RMT Representatives according to the circumstances and in order to protect staff and public in the current Coronavirus emergency.

 

• Risk Assessments and revised Safe Systems of Work may mean that PPE is required in order to protect the wearer, such as face masks, visors and gloves. Where such PPE is required, it must be of a sufficient PPE standard as agreed with RMT Representatives to protect the wearer.

 

• Where provided, PPE must be adequate and always available

 

• Such situations may include, but are not limited to, working on gatelines, providing passenger assistance and interaction with passenger’s on-board trains

 

RMT advice to Members

• Remember, if you are placed in any situation where you feel your health and safety is not protected, you have a legal right to take yourself to a place of safety

 

• RMT will protect you and your rights

 

• Talk to your RMT Health and Safety Rep about your concerns