ROLE OF THE GUARD & EXTENSION OF DOO – SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY
As you know, talks have taken place this week with the company under the auspices of conciliation service Acas. Your negotiators entered these talks as an exchange of correspondence between myself and the company over last weekend indicated that there could be common ground that a resolution may be found to resolve this current and long-standing dispute. With 27 days of industrial action facing them, it was your union’s belief that management would be looking to end the impasse and offer something tangible that would be acceptable to your and your colleagues and allow the strike action which commences on 00.01 hours on Monday 2nd December to be suspended.
At the talks, management gave no indication whatsoever that any positive outcome for our members in this dispute could be found. In fact, far from it, as the words they offered were worse than the company’s position prior to the talks taking place. The offer would have resulted in Guards having no responsibility for train despatch, which is a reversal from the proposals put on the table by the company two months ago when Guards retained a major role in this process. The proposals also result in a change to the Guards and Commercial Guards’ Job Descriptions. Previously, there were no changes to JDs.
A copy of the final proposals from the
Acas talks is attached.
Your National Executive Committee has considered the matter and has rejected the company’s latest position as it in no way meets the aspirations of you and your colleagues and the objectives we have set out throughout the course of this dispute.
Therefore, the strike action shall continue as management have given nothing that can in any way resolve this matter to your union’s or, more importantly, our members’ satisfaction.
You and your colleagues have shown great solidarity and support for your union and for each other during this dispute. That solidarity and support is not taken lightly by me, your other national officers or by your National Executive Committee. Your strength and courage to see justice done in this dispute is admirable. You and your colleagues have shown time and time again throughout this time that you are willing to make sacrifices to achieve your principled aim. I call upon all our members involved in this dispute to show this courage once again and support your union through the 27 days of strike action.
Thank you for your support up to now and for your continued support through the December strikes.