Instructor Operator Review

From 'RMT On The Trains' newsletter, August 2008

Management have recently given the union draft proposals to review and change the way Instructor operators are recruited and managed and have proposed some important changes to the role which the Union has made objections to. The key change is that they are suggesting a two tier structure going back to the road trainer idea and a "super I/O" who will be off the roster and no longer doing driving as their main job.

This is not acceptable for a number of reasons. A review of the role is long overdue with different lines doing different things and it was only the vigilance of your reps which recently stopped them introducing "Lead I/Ops" on the Northern Line where I/Ops were hand picked and given the job to "advise" other drivers on such issues as wearing the correct uniform and picking up on time etc, and incident management. Might as well take some bin liners and clean the train while they were at it! Needless to say this has been stopped, but is an example of the kind of multi-grade on the cheap way LUL would like to see the railway run if the RMT wasn't there.

Discussions are continuing with management on the I/Op grade and if you have strong views you are advised to contact a Trains Council rep or attend the next Train grades meeting.