Tony Miles has said he understands at least one Northern bidder have said they'll be a second member of staff on all services and given a guarantee that no service will run with a single member of staff. If that is correct and they win then a number of the union anti-DCO claims will be unfounded.
It almost seems DfT changing DOO for DCO between the Northern consultation and the ITT being released has made no difference to what the unions say as if they think the two are exactly the same. Given the number of posts on here from conductors saying they stay in the rear cab on late services except when opening the doors for their own safety, surely that should be something the RMT should be saying about DCO given the possibility the second member of staff could be barred from staying in the rear cab to provide a more visible staffing presence.
RE: Gurantees of a second member of staff
But then no money will be saved if there is a guarantee that no service will ever run with a single member of crew on board because the TOC will not be able to cut down on the number of "guards" and tighten up diagrams to single crew services indirectly . In fact they will probably in fact have to increase numbers because killing off morale in this way will lead to degradation in relations and a shortage of willing rest day volunteers .
I say it wont save any money in ongoing operation costs because even if the conductors salary is cut (not retrospectively) ,you are going to have to increase numbers of dispatchers . I know many stations at which any form of driver control of the doors would not possibly work safely either because of passenger numbers or because of curvature/visibility issues . Dispatchers will also want extra £££ given that they will be the ones completing the final train safety check before giving the RTS which is a lot more responsibility . You will also need more dispatchers and a spare complement of these to cover absence . Then the drivers will want increases as well the costs that come with a further competence to assess them and their managers on . To back up the "guards" who will now be expected to perform revenue duties at all hours you will also need more security staff . Or for the Northern franchise to bid for an increasing level of BTP resources . If you take raw numbers into account the difference between a guards salary and an RPA's salary is about £9k . If you really think you can sweeten drivers and dispatchers whilst providing an increased security presence for £9k a year per guard then you must be having a laugh . Not to mention that relies on the unlikely prospect that the RMT would accept conductors at Northern being dropped £9k a year whilst retaining duties RPA's are currently not expected to carry out . Even if the RMT would be powerless to prevent agency staff being used in on board roles ,ASLEF would never accept it
Ive said it before , ive said it again , there is a simple way Northern or the new franchise owner could boost revenue collection figures from day 1 , and that is fit more door panels . This would face no opposition from any union and would boost goodwill significantly as it allows guards to earn more commission and shows them their job is safe . No agreements would have to be negotiated or anything like that . Fit them , show them where they are , and you are done
RE: barring guards from rear cabs .
This is a non issue which is why I personally think the RMT is not bothered about it . It is actually the TOC that currently tells guards to remain in their back cabs if they feel it is too dangerous to perform revenue/customer service duties because they have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of their employees . The RMT already knows that the implementation of DCO would make no difference to this , and coupled with the fact that a second member of staff is going to be mandatory there will be a lot of "guards" on late Friday and Saturday night turns getting paid to sit in their back cab doing nothing because there is no way that the TOC will be able to get round its responsibility to protect staff from assault .
The only way that barring guards from cabs would result in a reduction of "guards " remaining in their cabs is by either sending guards out in teams on late night trains on fri/sat , or on ale trails and football specials . Or having increased security/BTP presence on trains and on stations to prevent those traveling who are unfit and deal with incidents as they occur .
Otherwise Friday and Saturday night will be business as usual