New Inflation Rates

Head Office Circular No. NP/039/13

To the Secretary all Branches,
Council of Executive members,
Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Tuesday 12th February 2013

Dear Colleagues,

New Inflation Rates

The Office of National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to January 2013.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) stood at 3.3% for the year to January 2013, up 0.2% from the 3.1% figure to December 2012.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 2.7% for the year to January 2013, unchanged from the figure to December 2012.

According to the ONS, the rise in the price of seasonal food was the biggest contributor to the increase in the RPI rate to January 2013. The CPI rate remains unchanged for the fourth consecutive month, mainly due to post-Christmas increases in the price of alcohol and air fares being offset by a fall in the price of miscellaneous goods and services and the continued fall in prices for clothing and footwear.

RMT pay submissions will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a greater rate than inflation and that your living standards are undermined by this disparity.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary

ORR Guidance-Managing Rail Staff Fatigue

Head Office Circular: NP/036/13
Our Ref: HSS/2/4
06th February 2013
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS
REGIONAL OFFICERS
RMT REPRESENTATIVES


Dear Colleague,


ORR GUIDANCE – MANAGING RAIL STAFF FATIGUE


The Office of Rail Regulation has published Guidance to managing rail staff fatigue. The Guidance is aimed at individuals who have a responsibility for managing fatigue, including those who have control of safety critical workers under Regulation 25 of the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (ROGS). The Guidance sets out the legal duties to manage fatigue and what systems employers should have in place to manage the risks that may arise from fatigue.

The General Grades Committee made the following decision:

“We note the Guidance from the ORR but are concerned at developments where companies are using fatigue to attack members’ terms and conditions. Hours of work are a matter for negotiation between this union and the employers and must remain so.

In addition, in order to assist our representatives the General Secretary is instructed to produce a briefing paper on the Guidance and distribute it widely to Lead Officers and Representatives with an article in the RMT News. We further instruct the General Secretary to instruct Lead Officers to approach companies seeking joint training for representatives and managers on the Fatigue Guidance.”

In accordance with the decision, I have prepared a briefing for the ORR Guidance which is attached/enclosed. Branch Secretaries are asked to distribute the briefing document to reps involved with roster planning or fatigue monitoring. In addition to the briefing, Lead Officers are instructed to seek joint training for reps and managers on the subject of rail staff fatigue. Click here for the ORR Guidance http://tinyurl.com/acehtbe or here for the RMT Briefing Document http://tinyurl.com/albab48

Please read the briefing and if you have any queries contact the Health & Safety section on s.mackay@rmt.org.uk or 0207 529 8838.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Travel Facilities, Retired Staff- South West Trains

Circular No IR/83/13


To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils


Our Ref: BR2/12/6
1st February 2013


Dear Colleagues

TRAVEL FACILITIES, RETIRED STAFF – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

Further to my previous circular on the above matter dated 3rd January 2013 (IR/05/13), in which I reported that, South West Trains are intending to introduce a new loyalty pass which will replace the concessionary retired staff travel pass.

Currently our members retiring at 65 receive staff travel passes regardless of their length of service, but the new loyalty pass will have a 20 year qualifying period. RMT is currently challenging SWT directly on this issue, reminding them that the concessionary travel arrangements were negotiated in good faith and that our members expect this to be honoured.

I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary