Posted 3rd March 2010 | 1 Comment
Network Rail told to take ‘urgent action’ by ORR over flaws in maintenance plan
THE Office of Rail Regulation has told Network Rail to take ‘urgent action’ to correct problems with its new maintenance regime, and the RMT union has demanded an ‘immediate halt’ to plans for 1500 job cuts, which have already prompted a strike ballot.
The ORR said it supported the principles of Network Rail's plans, but was concerned about some of the details. The ORR explained: ‘The regulator has identified several concerns about the introduction of the new regime including its speed of implementation, not yet having new staff guidance in place, and inadequate employee engagement. ORR has told the company to take urgent action.’
ORR chief executive Bill Emery added: “We will have no hesitation in taking immediate action if safety to passengers or employees is put at risk. I now urge Network Rail to resolve all identified issues before it commits to implementing this maintenance restructuring.”
The RMT said the ORR's warning meant that planned job cuts must be suspended. Up to 1500 jobs are expected to go, but the RMT said the ‘damning’ report had highlighted several areas of concern, including failure to carry out practical tests on the implications of the cuts, specific concerns on the continuing problems on the West Coast Main Line where most of the jobs will be lost, reductions in safety-critical working hours and cutbacks on safety lookouts and safety briefings.
Meanwhile, Network Rail has welcomed the ORR’s conclusions. In a statement, the company said: ‘As the ORR clearly says, the principles of our changes are sound and appropriate. The ORR has done a thorough job on auditing our proposals and where it has raised concerns we are addressing them. Working together, we are all committed to a safe, efficient and reliable railway.’
However, the company criticised the stance of the RMT: ‘Unnecessary and unwanted strikes jeopardise the progress we have all made in transforming the railway. Union leaders who defend outdated work practices from the 1950s are standing in the way of that progress. This is the digital age, not the steam age. We need to change so we can deliver the railway Britain needs in the 21st century,’ it said.
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RICHARD HOLMAN, NEWPORT GWENT, WALES
NETWORK RAIL ARE BULLIES NO MORE AND NO LESS,LETS HOPE THE CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER LAWS DO NOT LET US SEE THEM IN COURT FOR YET ANOUTHER TRAGEDY.THEY ARE TREATING THEIR STAFF WITH CONTEMPT AT EVERY STEP AND WILL REAP THE FALLOUT FROM THEIR OWN STAFF.BULLYING AS GORDON BROWN HAS REALISED IS WRONG AND ONCE TARED WITH THAT BRUSH,ITS DIFFICULT TO CLEAN OFF.THERE IS NO PLACE IN THIS MODERN SOCIETY FOR BOARDROOM BULLIES THAT WAS LAST CENTURY TACTICTS.LET US HOPE THEY SEE SENSE AND TREAT STAFF WITH THE RESPECT AND COOPERATION THEY DESERVE,AND NOT MEARLY AS AN ASSET,MUCH LIKE A SIGNAL, TO BE TURNED TO RED AT THEIR WHIM.