Emergency Working Principles of Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has released details of the Emergency Working Principles of the Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum.

It says the emergency working principles acknowledge that the coronavirus crisis represents the biggest challenge to the UK and the rail industry in the last 50 years.

The TSSA says the scale of the challenge necessitates emergency but temporary measures to ensure the railway can continue to serve the nation but operate in a sustainable manner all of which will require the industry’s trade unions and employers to work in co-operation.

The emergency working principles set out how the rail industry plans to work together and  has been agreed by most of the train operating companies, Network Rail and all the rail unions.

The health, safety and security of rail workers remains a top priority.

It is based on three key principles:

• Working Together: Employers and trade unions commit to working together to address the challenges for the rail industry created by the coronavirus crisis by maintaining good and positive industrial relations in order to provide rail services for other essential workers and for the movement of supplies and resources for the benefit of our communities.
• Operational Requirements: It is recognised that emergency temporary arrangements need to be put in place that will require all parties to work flexibly together at company level to facilitate rail operations. This includes working arrangements, normal places of work and the allocation of duties.
• Protecting Workers: The health, safety and security of rail workers remains a top priority. At all times, guidance based on Government and Public Health England advice will be followed and good practice will be shared in the industry.

The emergency temporary measures of provisions shall principally apply to train operating companies and Network Rail for the duration of the crisis, or up to 30th June, 2020.

For the full details, click here.

Photo credit: A G Baxter/Shutterstock

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