1. 0626 EAST LONDON RAIL ISSUE 2
BRANCH NEWS MARCH
2008
NATIONAL UNION OF RAIL, MARITIME, & TRANSPORT WORKERS’
GENERAL SECRETARY: BOB CROW
L I V E R P O O L S T R E E T
R E S O L U T I O N F O R S T R I K E A C T I O N
R E V E N U E S TA F F
RPO2 NOW!
East London Rail Branch notes that this Union and
its negotiators achieved the best possible deal avail-
able during the negotiations over ‘one’ Railway Rev-
enue Protection harmonisation, finalised in October
2006.
The Branch also notes that this Union and its’ nego-
bers have made this agreement work at no small
cost to themselves with little or nothing in return.
LER have ridden rough-shod over the prospects of
both old and new staff; this Branch considers that a
breach of contract. Both old and new staff have
been recruited and retained on the promise of the
tiators could not have been expected to foresee the possibility of advancing their future prospects;
extent to which this agreement would be ignored which according to the company now no longer
and disregarded by the Company who insisted in its exist.
implementation in the first place. East London Rail Branch notes that this Union has
The Branch notes that this document, which Liver- been consistently lied to by LER. As well as reneging
pool Street revenue staff are instructed to consider on the creation of a grade and the associated NVQ
contractual and binding by management, has been course they agreed under harmonisation, they have
regularly and consistently abused by London East- attempted to implement grades which were not
ern Railway; and that they ‘cherry-pick’ the areas agreed; they have continued to recruit poorly
of harmonisation they wish to enforce whilst ignor- trained agency staff in the face of a promises to the
ing areas that are in our members’ favour. contrary; all to the detriment of our members’ inter-
We believe that by now, half way through the dura- ests. Yet when confronted at a local and depot level
tion of this agreement, progress should have been they insist that this document is the ‘only show in
made towards implementing the RPO Level 2 Grade, town’.
thus providing the promotion prospects our mem- This Branch believes that this Union has the right
bers deserve and the Company agreed to. to- and should demand- absolute adherence from
We have now been told by Revenue Protection man- LER to the Revenue Protection Terms & Conditions
agement at Liverpool Street that this they have ‘de- that they agreed, in all areas and at all levels.
cided’ this Grade will never be implemented, yet This Branch requests that, the Company failing
they have introduced a new managerial position to immediately take steps to implement the
(‘Prosecutions Officer’) which undertakes similar du- RPO Level 2 grade and all other aspects of har-
ties. monisation that they have so far ignored and
We understand this to be a binding agreement be- misused, the General Grades Committee con-
tween two parties- the Company and recognised ducts a ballot for strike action and action short
Trades Unions (predominantly the RMT) - which is of a strike of our members within the Revenue
not adhered to by LER. Protection grades at Liverpool Street.
This hypocrisy and breach of faith should not be tol-
erated any further since we consider that our mem- SEE BACK PAGE REPORT

2. A N N A U L this newsletter on theand her report was noted the
E A S T L O N D O N R A I L - B R A N C H N E W S M A R C H 2 0 0 8
Minority Conference is included in
G E N E R A L Secretary never heard her nomination of the were
back page. It
back from any Con-
M E E T I N G sent off in spite of the short notice. Attendance at
ference Organisers. All forms
20th March 200 8 due to it taking place the weekend after the last
the Women's’ conference proved an impossibility
Held as usual at the Railway Tavern Hotel on Angel meeting; however she should be able to provide
Lane, Stratford, was the Branch’s Annual General us with a full report from the Station Grades’ Con-
Meeting, and a very successful one it was too. We ference at the next meeting (17th April).The Secre-
were well represented, with members from many of tary would send her details of the conference from
the grades and companies we are active in attending. previous correspondence.
From London Overground Rail Operations Ltd was
Arnold Randall (Gospel Oak RPI), Pauline Wilson (Sta- CORRESPONDENCE
tion Assistant, Leytonstone High Rd), and John Clarke
(Conductor, Stratford depot); from Network Rail came RECEIVED
Glenn Wallis (Signaller Level 4, South Tottenham NOTED: That the RMT’s legal affairs, including tri-
box); and from London Eastern Railway (‘National Ex- bunal claims, were not longer being handled by
press East Anglia’) were John-Paul Healey, Tracey Edwards-Duthie; Thompson’s Solicitors now in-
Reeve, Dan Rouse, Ed Shine, and Ron Smythe (all structed in all affairs.
Revenue Protection staff at Liverpool Street station); NOTED: It was discussed whether we would have
it was a pleasure to welcome again Pauline Akrill, an a candidate for the Young Members’ Conference;
RMT Industrial Relations Officer at Union Headquar- Sister Reeve proposed for this but unavailable on
ters, as our guest. Apologies were received from Dave this date. Any member interested please contact
Nubley and Mushi Ali (both CSL3’s, Liverpool Street), the Secretary on the details below.
and Steve Brown, Janice Gill, Aniel Gujral, Femi Ogun- NOTED: Annual Leave calculations. Members
sowobo, Orville Seaton, Shay Olaiya, and Keith Bay- working for Network Rail have lost out on A/L days
man (all Revenue Protection staff at Liverpool Street). due to working longer shifts even though they are
Due to the absence of both the out-going Chair and on the same working week. The discussion that
Vice-Chair at the start of the meeting, Bro. Wallis was followed compared this to ‘one’ railway Revenue
elected as temporary Chair (proposed: Bro. Randall, Protection Harmonisation in which LER insisted on
seconded: Bro. Smythe). Bro Randall reminded the a reduction of A/L as a result of a 7 hour 24
meeting that all members must be fully in benefit to minute day roster. Copies of these documents are
stand for Branch Office. to be sent to Bro. Randall for use in up-coming
The thanks of the Branch were conveyed to the out- LOROL ‘harmonisation’ meetings.
going Branch Committee, who in accordance with the NOTED: The Work Safe policy at Network Rail’s
Rules of the union, had resigned; and elections for Electrical Control Rooms on the East Coast Main
those positions then took place. Line is being undermined by proposed staffing
Bro. Wallis was elected our new Chair (prop: JP cuts and the ECR Operators (vital Safety Critical
Healey, 2nd: Dan Rouse), and the fraternal thanks staff) have voted unanimously to strike. This is
and respects off the Branch are conveyed to Bro. Nub- relevant to this Branch as the North London Line
ley for the sterling work he has done over the last (now part of LOROL) is to be re-signalled, result-
year in that position. Ed Shine was re-elected Secre- ing in local boxes being closed and signalling con-
tary (prop: Dan Rouse, 2nd: Ron Smythe). John trol transferred to Upminster IECC. Network Rail’s
Clarke was elected to remain as Vice-Chair (prop: continuing disregard for PTR&R (Promotion,
Arnold Randall, 2nd: Glenn Wallis). JP Healey became Transfer, Redundancy, & Resettlement, a national
Assistant Secretary (prop: Ron Smythe, 2nd: Arnold agreement) makes this a battleground of the fu-
Randall). Tracey Reeve, Arnold Randall, and Ron ture. Watch this space!
Smythe were elected the Branch’s Trustees (prop: Ron A complete list of all the secretary’s correspondence
Smythe, Pauline Wilson, Dan Rouse; 2nd: JP Healey, received is available at every Branch Meeting or by
JP Healey, Tracey Reeve, consecutively). For the Re- emailing the Secretary at:
gional Council, Glenn Wallis, Pauline Wilson, and Ed eastlondonrail@rmt.org.uk
Shine were elected (prop: Ed Shine, Ed Shine, Arnold East London Rail Branch News thanks the
Randall, 2nd: Dan Rouse, Ron Smythe, Pauline Wilson outgoing Branch Committee for their work of
consecutively). Arnold Randall and Dan Rouse were the past year and congratulates the new
elected Auditors (prop: Ron Smythe, Tracey Reeve; Committee on their election. With a strong,
2nd: Pauline Wilson, Ron Smythe consecutively). focussed, and united Branch we can continue
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true the recent upsurge in Branch activity and re-
record (prop: Sister Wilson; 2nd: Arnold Randall); cruitment and make East London Rail Branch
Sister Wilson had attended the Black & Ethnic the focal point for all our members.
NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY 17th APRIL 2008—RAILWAY TAVERN, ANGEL LANE, STRATFORD–
17.00 HOURS. PHONE 07940 340 128 FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL eastlondonrail@rmt.org.uk

3. E A S T L O N D O N R A I L - B R A N C H N E W S M A R C H 2 0 0 8
formance related- for Revenue Staff. As yet it is un-
known whether, if introduced, this will be individual-
EWS
or team-based; however the Union’s position on
such schemes has not changed: we believe that it is
N
Bro Randall informed the Branch that the Revenue
Protection agency staff employed from ‘Magenta’ on
a way of dividing people and encouraging them to
compete with each other rather than focus energy
on claiming their rights from the employer. Likewise,
the Gospel Oak-Barking line (which is believed to be staff may view a bonus as an inevitable part of their
known to some of our more mature members as the wage packet, when, in fact, it can be removed or
Tottenham-Hampstead line) are preferred by LOROL made unobtainable at a moments notice, thus hav-
to be brought back in-house, although no time scale ing the effect of a pay cut. Pay rises should be part
has been advised as yet. Likewise ‘Manguard’ (secu- of the overall salary and pensionable, not dished out
rity/ barrier agency staff) should be phased out when management feel like it. It will almost in-
within the month. evitably too create and exacerbate conflict situa-
The Company may attempt to begin re-structuring tions which could normally perhaps be diffused by
at the beginning of May, although so far there have the Inspectors’ discretion. Which is why we are glad
been no joint meetings to discuss any proposals. to learn that contrary to reports at last months
Off-the-table discussions suggest there will be no meeting, RPI’s have not in fact had their AVB’s
staff displacement, rather, a recruitment drive, since (portable ticket issuing facilities) removed, only the
they need extra staff on the GOB and ex-Silverlink Magenta staff. So although such bonus schemes and
County lines. This restructuring is likely to focus on points systems may appear at first glance to be
levelling out (harmonising???) T&C’s and pay scales, easy money, we feel they are likely to be paid for in
although there is a possibility that the Company ways not immediately apparent.
would wish to put Sunday working back into the It was also noted that Team Leader positions on the
roster (i.e., part of the working week). Of course, GOB line, which have been floated for the last two-
this would be dependent on what it is worth in ex- three weeks, are being filled absolutely contrary to
change. It should be remembered that Silverlink (as PTR&R agreements. Apparently they are to be
was) and now LOROL staff have for some time been ‘elected’ from amongst the staff, which whilst
fighting for a Sunday Working Rate of Time +3/4 sounding democratic, means their has been no con-
which we would expect to be part of any package sultation or fair assessment procedure in place: jobs
involving Sunday working on-roster. going unadvertised, lack of formal application, or
Revenue Protection staff have also begun their even appointment. There is even uncertainty, due
training in Greater London Authority legislation for to the lack of a formal Job Description whether this
the detection and prosecution of Oyster mis-use, for is a Supervisory or Team Leader grade... but on
which, as yet, no extra duty payment has been de- £18,000 a year, the rate is not commensurate with
manded. However, this should be born in mind by either!
LOROL if they ever claim that ‘belts need to be This, as well as issues such as facilities for Rep’s at
tightened’ or that our members have not given any- stations, Lone Working, and Uniform standards, is
thing up. to be raised and confronted at the next LOROL
There is also some talk of the Company introducing Company Council meeting
a points system of some kind- possibly bonus/ per-
NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY 17th APRIL 2008—RAILWAY TAVERN, ANGEL LANE, STRATFORD–
18.30 HOURS. PHONE 07940 340 128 FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL eastlondonrail@rmt.org.uk

4. E A S T L O N D O N R A I L - B R A N C H N E W S M A R C H 2 0 0 8
For the last two years, ever since Revenue Protec-
tion grades within London Eastern Railway (then,
‘one’, and now ‘National Express East Anglia’) were
WS
harmonised, staff have been consistently under at-
tack. This applies as much, if not more, to Liverpool
NE
The Secretary proposed a motion (seconded BRos.
Smythe and Healey, carried unanimously)- printed
Street staff as to other depots on the network, due
to the high profile- or in management speak- ‘flag
ship’ position of the depot.
At Christmas, we saw a roster introduced
which was not agreed or negotiated upon
on the front page- that this company has consis- which sent RPI’s to remote locations not even
tently reneged on its obligations and abrogated its on the network (e.g, tube and C2C stations),
rights under the Collective Bargaining Procedure, which ironically, was against the harmonisa-
or, put more simply, has lied and lied again in its tion deal! (Section 3.9)
implementation of the Harmonised Terms & Condi-
We have a permanent allocation of Agency
tions all Revenue Staff operate under.
staff in the depot when it is patently clear that
Bro Smythe also pointed out that there is still no
there is not a full complement of permanent
NVQ for RPA/ RPOI grades, and not even any as-
staff as it is (after the company swore blind
sessor or trainer position exists as is the case in
that they required only TEN Agency workers
Driver and Retail grades. bro. Wallis pointed out
to carry out ticket gate assessments at other
that under the WAGN re-structuring, certain old BR
stations).
grades were removed through natural wastage.
The Branch agreed that, since the Company cannot The introduction of Level 2 RPO is something
be trusted to keep its side of any agreement it that many members at Liverpool Street have
makes, what has been promised is worthless and aspired to since it was proposed, yet, two
what little little we have gained will be further whit- years down the line, is as unachievable as
tled away if they are given the chance. ever while the Company maintain their cur-
rent position
We have never been given a clear and logical
answer to why Liverpool Street has a different
paying in procedure to other depots- generally
a vague reference to ‘cash regulations’, but
are we honestly meant to accept that these
regulations create different procedures for
different depots?
The few promotional posts that are available
are not being advertised and where they are
the criteria of recruitment is INVISIBLE; the
branch does not feel that these members are
being given a fair opportunity at advance-
ment, specifically because of their location.
Unfortunately, although these issues, and more,
have been raised repeatedly at depot level, the ob-
vious disregard with which this company holds our
members’ future and aspirations leaves this Branch
with no other option than to call upon the General
Grades Committee to immediately conduct a ballot
of Revenue Protection members at Liverpool Street
for strike action and action short of a strike unless
the company responds positively with our request
that they uphold the Agreement they insisted on in
the first place.
EAST LONDON RAIL BRANCH- FIGHTING FOR YOUR
PROGRESS!