RMT has had a disappointing response fromNorthern Rail over the continued use of sub-contracted labour on the Northern Railcontract. The union remains in dispute with NorthernRail as they have given no commitment asto what will happen with the revenueprotection contract beyond the currentfranchise, which is due to end in Feb 2016. RMT also believes that Northern Rail arecontinuing to actively erode the role of theguard by pursuing the use of unsafepractises such as “unit hopping”.

In line with union policy RMT will continueto oppose the outsourcing of core railwaywork to sub-contracted labour and will doall we can to vigorously defend the roles ofour guards and station grades and the longterm security of our members.The union will be organising specialmembers’ meetings in order to build supportfor the dispute and to highlight theimportance of delivering a strong mandatedue to the immediate threat to jobs. Pleasemake every effort to attend and support thisimportant dispute.

RMTNorthern Rail Special Newsletter

February 2015

REVENUE PROTECTION CONTRACTORS

Northern Rail refuse to cooperate with RMT or provide a straight answer as tohow many STM workers are currently operating on the contract

www.rmt.org.uk

RMT met with Northern Rail in November of last year. The company confirmed the following:

• Northern Rail will continue to use the STM Revenue Protection Contractors until the end of the current short term franchise in February 2016. No commitment was given as to what might happen after February 2016.

• Northern confirmed that Revenue Protection will be needed for the foreseeable future. However, the methodology of ticket checking will evolve and the company anticipate that ticketless travel may be a viable option in the future.

• Northern claim that by using STM Revenue Protection Contractors more work has been created for Ticket Office staff.

• Northern also claim that improvements in technology will in future require the travelling public to purchase their tickets in advance of their journey, therefore there will be a reduced need for Revenue Protection.

• Northern anticipate that in the future more of their stations will be gated, therefore this also will reduce the need for Revenue Protection.

• Northern Rail has advertised six Revenue Protection Assistants posts to work on-train in the Manchester area.

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THE ISSUES AT THE HEART OF THE DISPUTE