A career as a signaller

[MrSig]

Hello all, I'm sure I've probably missed many conversations about it so feel free to point me in the right direction to find it, but I'm about to start my 18 month FTC as a Grade 7 Signaller (before that box closes) and naturally I'm very worried about the job cuts. Could I get some honest thoughts on the level of risk I'd be at over the 18 months and beyond. My thought process is when the cuts begin the FTC's are the easiest roles to move on right? I was hoping to find a permanent role after the 18 months but I'm assuming that's looking less likely. All comments/viewpoint are appreciated.

 

[ChrisRS]

Is this change going to apply to all NR signaller 12hr rosters by Jan 2023?

This will impact all signallers. I already know of an area that has lost it's nightshifts due to the 60 hour mandate.

Hello all, I'm sure I've probably missed many conversations about it so feel free to point me in the right direction to find it, but I'm about to start my 18 month FTC as a Grade 7 Signaller (before that box closes) and naturally I'm very worried about the job cuts. Could I get some honest thoughts on the level of risk I'd be at over the 18 months and beyond. My thought process is when the cuts begin the FTC's are the easiest roles to move on right? I was hoping to find a permanent role after the 18 months but I'm assuming that's looking less likely. All comments/viewpoint are appreciated.

The job cuts are mainly aimed at maintenance, not signallers. Highly unlikely you'd be out of a job as a fully trained G7 signaller, 18 months is plenty of time to apply and find a new role on the internal vacancy list.

 

[Paul88]

I’ve just been through this process. There has been a national change to training pay, well, actually it’s how it’s always meant to be apparently but they were doing it wrong.
It is now as @HamSandwich says:
- 1 grade below (etc…) as it used to be, for new entrants only
Or
- previous grade (plus some FP etc) for existing signallers changing boxes.
This has been agreed with RMT and always officially the rules but not correctly applied for many years.

It’s much worse for moving boxes now as you effectively take a pay cut while training as you don’t get any overtime or allowances if you just train standard hours.

I can’t seem to find anything in my employment contract or the job advertisement that states that i will be paid a grade lower whilst in training, but I’ve had a look at other advertisements for signaller positions and can see it does state this.

I start next month. I’ve dropped an email to the recruitment team for clarification. Do you have any further info on this? It just seems a little strange that some advertisements have this and some don’t.

 

[endofthetunnel]

I can’t seem to find anything in my employment contract or the job advertisement that states that i will be paid a grade lower whilst in training, but I’ve had a look at other advertisements for signaller positions and can see it does state this.

I start next month. I’ve dropped an email to the recruitment team for clarification. Do you have any further info on this? It just seems a little strange that some advertisements have this and some don’t.

Yes I agree it’s sporadic and annoying, but it’s as per RMT circular IR/190/21 from May 2021 which I can’t seem to attach but it basically says -
The 1994 signallers T&Cs say this system, with external or internal, but actually NR have just been giving everyone 1 grade below in error. RMT had noticed but it was an error that favoured us so it was left alone! But now they are on it.

I realise that’s not totally helpful but it is what the union have said and my rep agrees.

 

[MrSig]

This will impact all signallers. I already know of an area that has lost it's nightshifts due to the 60 hour mandate.


The job cuts are mainly aimed at maintenance, not signallers. Highly unlikely you'd be out of a job as a fully trained G7 signaller, 18 months is plenty of time to apply and find a new role on the internal vacancy list.

Okay thanks for that insight. If maintenance roles are mainly being cut what areas could a signaller like myself move into (worst case scenario)? I'd also like to think that after 18 months as a Grade 7 Signaller I would be able to find another signaller role, however outside of siganlling what other roles should I keep my eye on/what could a siganller with my experience realistically move into?

 

[Paul88]

Yes I agree it’s sporadic and annoying, but it’s as per RMT circular IR/190/21 from May 2021 which I can’t seem to attach but it basically says -
The 1994 signallers T&Cs say this system, with external or internal, but actually NR have just been giving everyone 1 grade below in error. RMT had noticed but it was an error that favoured us so it was left alone! But now they are on it.

I realise that’s not totally helpful but it is what the union have said and my rep agrees.

No problem. Thanks for the info.

 

[ChrisRS]

Okay thanks for that insight. If maintenance roles are mainly being cut what areas could a signaller like myself move into (worst case scenario)? I'd also like to think that after 18 months as a Grade 7 Signaller I would be able to find another signaller role, however outside of siganlling what other roles should I keep my eye on/what could a siganller with my experience realistically move into?

A common role signallers move onto is a MOM (Mobile Operations Manager) most are generally grade 7, some grade 6. Plenty of roles to move on to, I know of signallers moving on to become a LOM (Local Operations Manager) and even safety briefer for the development days we have to do. Plenty of roles to choose from you don't have to stick as being a signaller.

 

[MrSig]

A common role signallers move onto is a MOM (Mobile Operations Manager) most are generally grade 7, some grade 6. Plenty of roles to move on to, I know of signallers moving on to become a LOM (Local Operations Manager) and even safety briefer for the development days we have to do. Plenty of roles to choose from you don't have to stick as being a signaller.

Okay that's very helpful, thanks for that, put my mind at ease. Last question, the MOM and LOM roles you mentioned, could you see those roles being at risk due to job cuts at all?

 

[High Dyke]

Okay that's very helpful, thanks for that, put my mind at ease. Last question, the MOM and LOM roles you mentioned, could you see those roles being at risk due to job cuts at all?

The role of a LOM is more likely to be affected by re-signalling schemes that may move locations into a ROC. In many areas the headcount of MOM's has been increased to accommodate the new 60-hr week rosters - certainly from my experience.

 

[Dunnideer]

. In many areas the headcount of MOM's has been increased to accommodate the new 60-hr week rosters - certainly from my experience.

Whilst this is true, I can see the MOM role being done away with in the future in favour of putting maintenance guys on ops courses and having them do incident response. They seem to be pushing for multi-discipline teams in maintenance where everyone does a bit of everthing and I think that getting rid of a (relatively) highly paid specialist ops role would be seen as an easy win for management. It’s hard to actually quantify on a balance sheet what a decent MOM brings to the party and I think that’ll be our downfall. Personally I feel the greatest job security at the moment is in the signalling grades and I fully expect to end up back as a signaller at some point in the future.

 

[High Dyke]

Whilst this is true, I can see the MOM role being done away with in the future in favour of putting maintenance guys on ops courses and having them do incident response. They seem to be pushing for multi-discipline teams in maintenance where everyone does a bit of everthing and I think that getting rid of a (relatively) highly paid specialist ops role would be seen as an easy win for management. It’s hard to actually quantify on a balance sheet what a decent MOM brings to the party and I think that’ll be our downfall. Personally I feel the greatest job security at the moment is in the signalling grades and I fully expect to end up back as a signaller at some point in the future.

i can see your point, and it is a possible aspiration of management. What doesn't help are mixed messages from senior management. in one breath saying that operations staff aren't affected by changes, but in the next breath stating they are pushing ahead with the Digital Railway concept - which would affect signalling roles.

 

[otter11]

This will impact all signallers. I already know of an area that has lost it's nightshifts due to the 60 hour mandate.

How does that work then? Who covers the night shifts?

 

[Lock31243]

Yes, I applied for a job yesterday and received no email - but later in the day I saw the "thanks for applying email" in the "emails sent to you" at the bottom of the dashboard.

Its worrying if emails aren't coming as the HR team also use the "zendesk" email for correspondence relating to applications which does not appear on the dashboard emails.

Just to make you aware a good 90% of email correspondence I received went straight in to my junk email box not my inbox. It may not be the case for you but it’s worth having a look.

 

[Ducatist4]

How does that work then? Who covers the night shifts?

Boxes can be switched out and services can be diverted or cancelled until signallers come back on duty.

 

[MrSig]

How does that work then? Who covers the night shifts?

Sorry to ask something obvious but what is the 60 hour mandate? How has this changed things? I'm currently on a 12 hour rota.

 

[otter11]

Sorry to ask something obvious but what is the 60 hour mandate? How has this changed things? I'm currently on a 12 hour rota.

See post from KendalR on page 495 of this thread

 

[MrSig]

See post from KendalR on page 495 of this thread

Perfect, I just read it. Would a/has anyone suggested a 7 day fortnight shift? I'm about to leave a role that works this and it's pretty good.

Week 1 - Monday Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Week 2 - Wednesday and Thursday
and this continues on and on.

We have 2 shifts (AB and CD) so the AB shift work when CD shift is off and vice versa.
We move from earlies to lates every 2 weeks (ish).

 

[otter11]

Perfect, I just read it. Would a/has anyone suggested a 7 day fortnight shift? I'm about to leave a role that works this and it's pretty good.

Week 1 - Monday Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Week 2 - Wednesday and Thursday
and this continues on and on.

We have 2 shifts (AB and CD) so the AB shift work when CD shift is off and vice versa.
We move from earlies to lates every 2 weeks (ish).

I would imagine that for signallers who are used to having 7 days off in a row every month, that moving to a roster where they only ever get a max of 3 days off in a row would face some opposition.

Even if those days off are more frequent.

Just a guess!

 

[gostin]

So I was doing my scenarios today and it gave a technical error on my 1st scenario and booted me out and won’t let me retake any questions.
Will I get a chance to redo it again or do you think that’s it?

Edit they’ve reset it.
Pretty quick at replying so hopefully all good

 

[ChrisRS]

How does that work then? Who covers the night shifts?

Line wasn't busy enough to justify working nights anymore. And to meet the new 60 hour limit they just done away with night shifts all together.

 

[nom de guerre]

Is this change going to apply to all NR signaller 12hr rosters by Jan 2023?

Most, but perhaps not all.

I'm a relief and my 12 hour roster is already compliant as I could only ever work a maximum of 60 hours within any rolling seven-day period (the lack of rostered Sundays undoubtedly helps).

 

[otter11]

Most, but perhaps not all.

I'm a relief and my 12 hour roster is already compliant as I could only ever work a maximum of 60 hours within any rolling seven-day period (the lack of rostered Sundays undoubtedly helps).

How does the change affect Rest Day Working? Will you be unable to work a rest day if it takes your rolling 7 day total to over 60 hours? Or does the 60 hour directive only apply to your base roster?

 

[Cavan]

How does the change affect Rest Day Working? Will you be unable to work a rest day if it takes your rolling 7 day total to over 60 hours? Or does the 60 hour directive only apply to your base roster?

I suspect this is why there will be many more relief signallers in each area.

 

[KieranG110]

Yes, I applied for a job yesterday and received no email - but later in the day I saw the "thanks for applying email" in the "emails sent to you" at the bottom of the dashboard.

Its worrying if emails aren't coming as the HR team also use the "zendesk" email for correspondence relating to applications which does not appear on the dashboard emails.

I've just had the same situation. My first position I applied for but unsuccessful for I received all emails into my main inbox. Only discovered an email from over a week ago instructing me to complete tests. I've sent an email to the NR recruitment team to explain why I've completed my tests later than the 72 hours.

 

[blake123]

Hi guys,
Are there any jobs on the internal list for the Bristol area?
Thank you

 

[CoachB]

So I was doing my scenarios today and it gave a technical error on my 1st scenario and booted me out and won’t let me retake any questions.
Will I get a chance to redo it again or do you think that’s it?

Edit they’ve reset it.
Pretty quick at replying so hopefully all good

I got mine done yesterday too while the house was quiet.

Just logged into the dashboard and they've sent an email saying all interviews this week have been cancelled. Will be rescheduled at a later date.

 

[gostin]

I got mine done yesterday too while the house was quiet.

Just logged into the dashboard and they've sent an email saying all interviews this week have been cancelled. Will be rescheduled at a later date.

Yes I logged into the dashboard as well and it said the same.
No email received again though.

 

[CoachB]

Yes I logged into the dashboard as well and it said the same.
No email received again though.

Yeah none of my emails on my dashboard have ever went to my email address.

Just means logging in everyday to be safe.

 

[Cavan]

Does anyone know anything about Gobowen box on the Shrewsbury to Wrexham line? Currently mentioned in a large Shrewsbury and Hereford ad on the careers site: https://careers.networkrail.co.uk/j...l-North-Wales-Hereford-Shrewsbury-Gobowen/634

The ad states jobs are a grade 2 FTC, but I think that is due to Wales region mostly recruiting in that way for signaller jobs.

I have read an old post on here stating that it is a grade 3, 12hr box so wondered if that was still the case!

Re-signalling plans for Shrewsbury and towards Wrexham?
Thanks all.

 

[gostin]

Yeah none of my emails on my dashboard have ever went to my email address.

Just means logging in everyday to be safe.

Yes better safe than sorry