Agreed NOTES OF A DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29 th AUGUST 2007

Transcription

1 Agreed NOTES OF A DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29 th AUGUST 2007 Present: Andy Byford, Operations Director Mark Stuchbury, Operations Project Manager Roy Luxford, Company Council Kevin Eade, Company Council John Dowling, HR Support, notetaker Anouska Williams, HR Support, observer Apologies received from John Doyle Company Council, Devon Price HR Manager and Daniela Spagnoli HR Business Partner (Operations). Mr Byford explained that the Company would arrange an additional meeting to discuss HR issues prior to the next Company Council meeting on the 26 th September Mr Byford thanked John Dowling for his assistance not only with his work for the Operations Department but also with the Company Council meetings and wished him well with his new role of Ticket Office Manager for the Brighton area; Company Council agreed with Mr Byford s comments. Previous Minutes Minutes for May 2007 and June 2007 were agreed. a) DOO Class 377 Units Mr Byford gave an update on the modification programme for the units and confirmed that nearly all the DOO units had been completed. Mr Stuchbury confirmed that the principle of DOO could shortly be agreed but that he recognised that Company Council still had concerns about processes surrounding its reliability. Company Council agreed but were concerned about the time taken for images to appear when you go from using the near side cameras to the off side and vice versa, they added that they have written a report on the problem. Mr Byford asked if they could a copy of the report to Mr Stuchbury and Stuart Boatfield so that the issue can be investigated. Company Council agreed to forward the report and added that they wanted to have a robust system in place before signing off; Mr Byford noted this. Action: Company Council, M. Stuchbury b) 3 Car Marks, Brighton and Portsmouth Mr Byford believed that the issue has now been resolved satisfactorily with arrangements put in place to ensure it does not become an issue again. Company Council agreed that the item could be closed. Item closed 1

2 c) Cab Cooling 456/319 Units Mr Byford confirmed that trial systems have now been put in place on two 456 units and that driver feedback has been sought via the latest Drivers brief. Mr Byford confirmed that the units involved are 005 and 013 but unfortunately the system in unit 013 has developed a fault which will be fixed and the trial period will be extended to allow a proper trial to take place of both systems. Company Council asked if any feedback had been received, Mr Stuchbury replied no but the issue will be raised at Drivers three monthly one to ones with DMs. Company Council confirmed that they would want to trial the units but do not have valid cab passes. Mr Byford confirmed he will ensure they receive the required passes. Mr Stuchbury confirmed that he will contact Fleet for an update of when the system on unit 013 will be working again. and M. Stuchbury d) Brighton FTA Reporting for Duty e) Barnham FTA Reporting for Duty Mr Stuchbury confirmed that he is waiting for documentation from Oscar Sowerby in order to progress the review of notice board content and its impact on booking on times. Mr Byford noted that autumn is approaching and that Gary Prodger is working to ensure that all the information produced is relevant and necessary; ensuring that the notice boards do not become overloaded. Mr Byford said that he had been impressed by the use of a plasma TV screen at Lovers Walk Depot. Mr Byford said that he will be investigating this as a possible solution to provide a more efficient way of providing information in the future but that it would not be in place for the leaf fall season. and M. Stuchbury f) PAIP Update Mr Byford confirmed that Steve Bulley attended a meeting yesterday with Network Rail and they have confirmed that the completion date for the project is still the 28 th October Therefore the current train plan will remain in place and the issue now is identifying who needs to be piloted and where. Company Council stated that the last meeting they had with Mr Bulley their agreement on the provision of conductor drivers/pilot drivers from Barnham to Fratton and Fratton to Portsmouth Harbour was ratified but they are concerned that the briefings have not started. Mr Byford expressed his concerns regarding the timescales involved and the resources available. Mr Byford continued that a plan had been put in place but was dependant on filling vacancies at Barnham depot. Mr Byford confirmed he will work with Company Council on the piloting requirements but the situation had to be managed to ensure there were no problems with the introduction of the additional services from December Company Council understood Mr Byford comments but were concerned about the amount of changes to the track layout and requested that arrangements are made for all parties involved to travel over the area. Mr Byford agreed and would discuss with Mr Bulley a date when this can take place. 2

3 g) Mobile Phones / PDA Mr Byford explained that he understands that the investment committee has turned down the case for mobile phones for drivers but has not had this confirmed yet. Mr Byford continued that the decision could have been made because Phil Uzzell the author of the report was not able to attend or that the benefit was overstated but will speak with Chris Burchell to confirm this. Mr Byford explained that Rotherfield Peppard produces the equipment known as BRUCE and has resolved the issues that have been previously identified. Mr Byford continued that both he and Colin Morris are meeting with them to discuss the possibility of reaching an agreement for Southern to be the TOC to trial their modified Bruce device at a reduced cost. Mr Byford continued that the next step would be for Rotherfield Peppard to produce a project proposal and then arrange a meeting towards the end of September with Company Council in attendance. h) Rest Room Platform 19 Mr Byford confirmed that the work on the commercial room is practically complete and the work on the Train crew room is moving ahead well with both the kitchen and toilet facilities being formed and now waiting for the air system to be fitted. Mr Byford continued that he has tasked Bob Harwood to create a mobilisation programme including the required procedures working on the basis that the room will be open in September. Mr Byford added that he would recommend Company Council visit the accommodation and confirmed that he has asked Mr Harwood to work with the LDC representatives as it is a Victoria issue. Mr Byford then continued that there have been discussions with Commercial about them using the train crew accommodation and an agreement has been reached that if they need to use the facilities urgently then they can but not as mess facilities as there is not enough space. i) Haywards Heath PNB Point Mr Byford confirmed that the room is now available for use and has asked Arthur Pretorius to respond to an received from a Driver with a list of concerns about the accommodation and refer any further issues to the LDC representatives for the Brighton area. Company Council raised a concern with the cleaning of the room when they used the room on Bank Holiday Monday as the bins were full and there were no hand towels. Mr Byford confirmed that the issue was in the process of being resolved. Company Council also asked if it would be possible to have a CIS screen in the room; Mr Byford believed that there were plans for one to be installed. 3

4 j) Service Centre Visits Mr Byford confirmed that there are no further updates as it is still the intention to see the new centre when it goes live on the 3 rd November Mr Byford confirmed that Control move on the 3 rd November 2007 and the CIS/CCTV office move takes place the following weekend. Company Council asked if there would be enough people to cover for the vacancies that have been created as a result of the changes. Mr Byford confirmed the by the time of the move they will be ready and for the first time there will be a Control Manager on duty 24 hours a day. Mr Byford confirmed that he will take Company Council to see the new accommodation. k) Balise on Island Platforms Company Council asked if balise can be introduced on island platforms, Mr Byford confirmed that it is technically possible as there is a similar system in place on London Underground. Mr Byford continued that it will take time as has been seen at Victoria, Company Council asked if that will stop wrong side door openings at Victoria; Mr Byford replied that it should. l) XXXX Brighton DAP Review m) FTA Barnham Driver XXXX Claim for Petrol under PTRA n) Braking in Snow Company Council confirmed they now have the video on disc and will be able to view it after the meeting with Mr Byford. and Company Council o) Integration of Gatwick Express Mr Byford confirmed that the current timescale remains the same for implementation date of the 22 nd June 2008 when Gatwick Express will become part of Southern. Mr Byford continued that Gatwick Express have been contacted requesting information about the Company but as it is still a separate company the information is sensitive but the information will be forthcoming over the next few months. Once Southern has received the information and the go ahead to make contact with their employees then arrangements will be made to contact their DFC, LDC and Managers to meet them to discuss how future union relations will work. p) Radio Waves and Magnetic Fields No further information from what was discussed at the previous meeting. Item closed 4

5 New Items 1. XXXXX Victoria DAP Review 2. Redhill FTA Prescription Sun Glasses 3. Ill Health Retirement 4. Sick Pay Entitlement 5. Sick Pay Entitlement 6. Medscreen Timescales 7. XMAS Services 2007/8 Company Council asked which Drivers would be required to work Boxing Day, Mr Byford responded that he will discuss the issue with Doug Cave from Train Planning. Company Council explained that they had received conflicting information about which depot would get the work to cover the planned Charing Cross services. Company Council suggested that it would be better if the work was assigned to Selhurst depot rather than London Bridge; Mr Byford acknowledged their suggestion and agreed to discuss the issue with Mr Cave. Post Meeting Note: Mr Byford confirmed that the work will go to Selhurst in the first instance 8. XXXX Victoria DAP Review 9. August Drivers Brief 456/5 Coupling / Uncoupling Company Council requested that the notice which was in the brief is reissued; Mr Byford agreed and will ask Ops Standards to reissue the brief. 10. Shunter Driver Selhurst (Agreements) 11. XXXXX Three Bridges DAP Review 12. Provision of Train Crew Accommodation at the Redeveloped East Croydon Company Council asked what the long term plans are for crew accommodation at East Croydon with regard to the redevelopment of the station as at present, train crew use room where the Commercial staff have their lockers for PNB s. Company Council added that they appreciate that with the planned changes to services over the next few years there may not be a need to have a Train Crew PNB point. However, if PNB s are still to be diagrammed after the redevelopment programme they would like a separate facility. Mr Byford agreed to look into the issue and if there is a requirement what provision will be made for accommodation at the redeveloped station. 5

6 13. Abrogation of the Agreement of how Drivers are Treated Following an Incident in Respect of their Rostered Sundays Company Council explained that they have received complaints from Drivers who have not been able to work their rostered Sundays when they have been off track following an incident despite an agreement reached in November 2006 with the HR Director Nick Mitchell and HR Manager Devon Price. Company Council then provided a copy of the agreement to Mr Byford. They were concerned one DOM has advised a driver he cannot work and should put in a claim for reimbursement. Mr Stuchbury added that when the brief was introduced all the DOM s were briefed on the agreement and there have been no further changes since. Mr Byford agreed to rebrief the DOM s of the agreement to ensure the situation does not reoccur. AOB 442 Operations Issues Mr Byford explained that the Company wanted to train four of the Shunters at Brighton to enable the units when they are introduced to move around the depot for operational requirements. Company Council suggested that the issue is dealt with locally, Mr Byford was happy for this to happen. 377 Seat Design Mr Byford confirmed that an agreement has been reached for the roll out of the new and refurbished seats for the 377 units. Company Council confirmed that they wish to discuss Chapman seats in class 171 units in a separate meeting. 456 Blinds and Cab Passes Mr Byford confirmed that the order has been placed for the blinds and although the date has slipped for the units to be fitted the work will be completed at the latest by October. Mr Byford reiterated that he will ensure that Company Council receive cab passes for 456 units. Noise Mr Stuchbury confirmed that week commencing 10 th September 2007 the reps nominated by DFC will be released for the week. Initially they will have a meeting at Croydon here and then go out on various trips on both the 377 and 171 units during that week to look at addressing the issue. Action: M. Stuchbury and Company Council 171 Units Marshlink Mr Stuchbury explained that the original submission was for the four car units to be run on the line for special occasions. Mr Stuchbury then continued that last year there was one particular weekend when there was a special event at Rye when there was severe overcrowding on the services in both directions. To overcome the situation risk assessments have been done on the line and a test train is to run on Sunday to make sure the assessments are correct. Once this has been successfully done then will brief the information to Drivers and Conductors. 6

7 Thameslink Programme Company Council requested a meeting to discuss the rolling stock cascade as part of the Thameslink programme. Mr Byford noted their request and will discuss the issue with Colin Morris to make the arrangements. Meeting concluded. 7