Please find below the successful resolutions passed at the 2012 National Conference of Station and Associated Grades and the appropriate General Grades Committee decision for each resolution.

FATIGUE – STATION & REVENUE GRADES (HSR/)

Resolution

“This conference notes the strain that shifts have on both physical and mental health. This conference request that the National union conduct a study of staff from across stations and revenue grades with a view to looking at improving working conditions. The study to be conducted by an independent company with experience of this”.

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades. We refer this matter to our Health & Safety Sub-Committee for detailed examination and report. Secretary of our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades to be advised.”

WINTER WEATHER – PLATFORM CLEARING (HSR/)

Resolution

“This conference notes the increasingly cold weather and extreme bouts of snow and ice. We further note that station staffs are being asked to keep platforms clear without proper PPE, training and protection. This conference requests that the national union takes this matter up with all train operating companies and London Underground as a matter of urgency.”

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades. The General Secretary is instructed to raise this matter with Train Operating Companies and request what facilities, PPE and number of staff are in place for Station staff carrying out these duties. These reports to be placed before our Health and Safety Sub-Committee.”

FIRE REGULATIONS (HSR/)

Resolution

“This Conference notes the importance of the 2005 fire regulations. This conference notes that there is sometimes a pre-conception that these are just for underground railway stations but they are, in fact, for all stations. This conference requests the national union ensure all regions and safety reps are taking management to task over these laws and action to be taken if needed.”

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades and that we refer this matter to our Health & Safety Sub-Committee. National Conference Secretary to be advised.”

HEPATITIS VACCINATIONS (HSR/)

Resolution

“We are concerned that no action has been taken over our resolution regarding hepatitis vaccinations for vulnerable staff. The resolution was passed at conference 2 years ago and taken to the AGM were it was unanimously supported. Despite being reviewed at conference last year, nothing further has occurred. The cost of this vaccination is around £70 against a potentially life threatening disease. We would like a response from the CofE please.”

General Grades Committee Decision

“The union wrote to all Train Operating Companies and received 10 responses from East Coast, Wettons, First Scotrail, Carlisle, ISS Facility Services, South West Trains, Northern, Eurostar, Cross Country and Network Rail. The responses ranges from companies that see immunisation only as a last resort to companies who will offer immunisation, this was reported at the 2012 National Conference of Station and Associated Grades. We instruct the General Secretary to circulate the responses from the companies to Branches, Regional Councils and the National Conference Secretary.”

HARMONISATION, STATION & REVENUE GRADES – FIRST GREAT WESTERN (BR2/1500)

Resolution

“We are concerned that harmonisation talks within stations and revenue grades on First Great Western are not going anywhere. We want these issues to be resolved”

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades. The General Secretary is instructed to place a full report of the current position on this matter and any concerning issues back in front of this General Grades Committee by no later than 25th January 2013 for further consideration. Branches, Regional Councils and the Secretary of our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades to be advised.”

FITNESS FOR DUTY (BR2/5/1)

Resolution

"Gloucester Branch is concerned that the current system of assessing fitness for duty is unsatisfactory, and is not as was intended to be. A phone call cannot assess someone's true state of health or mind. Although used to monitor drugs and alcohol usage it does not highlight potentially more serious and/or long term conditions and staff may be working who are seriously unwell."

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note that this matter was referred to our 2012 Annual General Meeting.”

UNION LEARNING REPS – FIRST GREAT WESTERN (NP/)

Resolution

“We are greatly concerned that First Great Western is not abiding by the learning agreement and that ULR reps are not being released to carry out their role. There is a need for ULRs across the network but in some areas, the reps are not being recognised and are being disallowed their allocated time to pursue their duties. FGR managers are telling the ULR Steering group that they fully support the ULR role and are willing and able to grant time off for ULRs to engage with learning. This is obviously not uniformly the case. In some areas release is obtained but varies greatly across the network. We want the CofE to put pressure on the company to honour the agreement”

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades on this matter and the sentiments contained within. We instruct the General Secretary to raise this issue with First Great Western Trains to ensure that appropriate and consistent release is afforded to our representatives as agreed. This matter to be placed back in front of this General Grades Committee as soon as this matter has been raised and discussed. Further the General Secretary is to distribute a copy of the First Great Western Learning Agreement to our Union Learning Representatives at First Great Western. Branches, Regional Councils and the Secretary of our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades to be advised.”

STAFF TRAVEL AGREEMENT (BR2/12/2)

Resolution

“Gloucester Branch believes that more pressure should be put upon TOCs to get a more unified rail travel agreement.”

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades. We note that it is union policy to achieve safeguarded travel for all staff and that we continue to pursue this matter at every opportunity. We further note the number of ‘inter group’ free travel for staff and dependants continue to increase. Branches, Regional Councils and the Secretary of our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades to be advised.”

Emergency Resolutions

SAFETY CHECKS – PLATFORM STAFF (BR2/14/1)

Resolution

“Gloucester Branch are appalled at the way platform staff are expected to carry out safety checks at stations. Currently, FGW are increasingly looking at staff to multi-task and this is putting a greater strain on use of time. It is outrageous under the circumstances that a person’s job could be put at risk due to being overstretched at work and have been tested by TRANSEC. We want the CofE to look into this.”

General Grades Committee Decision

“The General Secretary is instructed to write to all Train Operating Companies and ask what procedures they have in place for carrying out safety checks within their stations, staffing levels for carrying out these checks within these stations, staffing levels for carrying out these checks, what training they have in place as well as refresher training and what their contingency plans are for staff shortages and when incidents happen.”

LONE WORKING – RESPONSIBILITY FOR PASSENGER SAFETY (BR2/14/2)

Resolution

“We are concerned after a recent Bomb evacuation that staff working alone are totally responsible for the safety of passengers. As always, information regarding the situation is not forthcoming. Not everybody has blackberries and access to office equipment may not be available, either because as lone working it is not possible to leave the platform or the office area has been cordoned off. In a situation like this, it is very distressing and confusing for all. What has become of the CAT teams that were set up and paid to train to assist colleagues in time of severe disruption? We feel not enough support is given to our staff who are left alone in these stressful situations.”

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades and are concerned at the lack of support for our members who work alone. The General Secretary is therefore instructed to write to the Train Operating Companies and raise this issue with them, as well as what facilities staff have and what their primary and secondary plans are to support our members in times of disruption. These reports to be placed before the General Grades Committee. Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.”

BOOKING OF LEAVE, ROSTERED SUNDAYS – TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES (BR2/7/1)

Resolution

“Conference, this Branch is disgusted by TOC's (FGW in this case) refusal to allow members wishing to take their rostered Sunday off even though Sundays are not within the parameters of their normal working week. Members are now also being harassed into working and threatened with disciplinary measures if they do not attend work if rostered on a Sunday. This Branch understands we now live in a seven day a week railway system and that this also means staff do need to work on a Sunday, however unless Sundays are within the members working week (and therefore part of their contract of working) then our members should have the right to take any Sunday off work whether rostered or not! My own TOC is FGW whose managers have told members to find their own cover to do their Sunday shift. We feel this should be the responsibility of the roster clerk to cover and not our members! Most members of staff would cover for others not willing or wanting to work on a particular Sunday if requested. Why refuse members time off on a Sunday? We require some action to protect our members from the bully boy antics of management forcing members into work on a Sunday and ask for the GGC to contact all TOC companies informing them that Station Staff workers have the inherent right to take their rostered Sunday off (unless Sundays are part of their working week) without any prejudice or harassment towards them. I am quite sure this would be happening on other TOC's as well. Just remember Brothers and Sisters if our members were off sick on any given Sunday (rostered or not) they would not be paid for it!”

General Grades Committee Decision

“That we note that this matter was referred to our 2012 Annual General Meeting.”

I will now be acting on the instructions of these decisions and I will keep you advised of any developments.