SOUTHEASTERN DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL

NEW COMPANY COUNCIL WEBSITE

December 2009

XMAS/NEW YEAR
Drivers Company Council would like to wish all ASLEF Drivers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL ELECTIONS – CHALLENGE BY RMT
The RMT are putting up a challenge for a position on DCC, all ASLEF members are asked to vote for the 3 ASLEF members in the forthcoming individual ballot, every vote counts.

HS DRIVERS
The Company have changed their mind about HS drivers covering classic work, we can’t imagine why, they have said this is only a short term solution and not a permanent way of covering classic services.
They now say that as a last resort they will cover a classic service with a HS driver if, the HS driver has all the correct equipment, their competences are up to date and all other means of covering have been exhausted, including free day working by a classic driver. HS drivers should not be pre-booked classic work.

DRIVERS SHIRTS
Thank you to all Drivers who signed the survey which has been given to management. Management have requested that along with the survey they will need to have some specific cases to move forward with this item. Any Driver who has experienced a problem with the reflection of the Drivers shirt in the speedometer, can you please drop us an email/letter describing where/when it occurred and if it was distracting.

ATTENDANCE AT WORK PROCEDURE
The new updated AAW procedure has been placed on the intranet, this AAW procedure is not a trial, this is a permanent procedure for Drivers which came into force on 01 Nov 09.

MANNING OF 395 UNITS
ASLEF has not agreed to work CL395 units under DOO(P) conditions. We have agreed that the units will be manned in accordance with both NR and CTRL Rule books, management have assured us and the On Board Managers that there will be a second member of staff, on class 395 units, in passenger service at all times. Our position is quite clear that when working on classic routes we expect the other member of staff to have the same operational responsibilities as those working 375 units, with the exception that Drivers close the doors as this is the safest method of dispatch, as stated by the RSSB.

ANNUAL LEAVE
DCC have had a meeting with management regarding annual leave being granted on the weekly roster but being declined on the daily sheet. It has been agreed that this should not be happening and local managers have been advised.



Yours Fraternally

P. CALVERT P. ROWLAND J. HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

October 2009

NEW ATTENDANCE AT WORK POLICY

IMPLEMENTATION DATE - 01 NOVEMBER 2009

Drivers have had to supply private certificates ever since DRI was implemented in 1997. This has been disliked by Drivers for many years and previous DCC members have tried hard to remove it unsuccessfully.

Drivers Company Council have agreed the new AAW Policy with management, which removes the need for Drivers to provide Doctors sick certificates for up to 7 days.

DCC have worked hard to make sure that this item which is so disliked by Drivers, is changed outside of
any Pay & Conditions deal and is at nil cost to the Driver, (you are not giving anything up to get it).

The main points;

The new AAW procedure will be based on the trigger system:

5 days or 2 instances in 13 weeks.
10 days or 5 instances in 52 weeks.

Drivers will no longer be required to supply management with Doctors sick certificates for up to 7 days, which has cost the Driver £10.00, if not more.

Drivers will provide management with self certificates for up to 7 days then a Doctors certificate will be required.

Any Driver who has not been off sick for 18 months, then goes sick will not be regarded as having poor attendance and no action (progression to informal) will be taken other than the resumption to work interview.

The Review procedure will no longer be done at DCC level. The Driver will be accompanied at an Appeal hearing which will be chaired by the appropriate manager.


Yours Fraternally

P. CALVERT P. ROWLAND J. HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

October 2009

DEPOT VISITS
DCC and Graham Morris will be attending Depot Visits for Oct 2009 which will be as follows: Orpington Monday 12 October 2009 and Charing Cross Thursday 22 October 2009.

ICAS – EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
The EAP is a 24/7 service which provides free access to a range of specialist support and information, including telephone and face to face counselling. The EAP provides information and guidance on personal and family problems, work issues, drink and drug related problems, childcare or other family issues, financial problems and consumer rights. EAP telephone number 0800 0727072.

OFF PLATFORM MONITORS
Drivers Company Council have been working with Southeastern and Network Rail to get as many monitors onto the platform as possible, to help stop wrong side releases. Monitors will be put onto the platform at the following locations; Swanley, Bickley, Grove Park, Kent House and Petts Wood.

DECEMBER ROSTERS
The December rosters are starting to be posted at depots. Drivers should not have high expectations of these rosters, as we have yet to see a good, user friendly, self covering roster. This is no fault of any LDR’s, the problem is under established depots, including the new high speed depots. This franchise is running out of money fast, it’s not just a bit of prudent “house keeping” either. The Go-Ahead group made a 144.9 million pound operating profit last year and intends to do the same this year, the Southeastern contribution will be at their employee’s expense. We have already seen, the job cuts that have taken place in the last 12 months, effect other parts of the franchise, that are now run so poorly. This is now going to affect drivers as the diagrams and rosters for December are without doubt the worst ever seen. Every roster is under established for the amount of permanent SX diagrams, some rosters do not even cover the known commitment of Annual Leave, let alone any sickness, LaD days or higher grade duty. The attack on walking times, to cut minutes out of diagrams, smacks of desperation. The unprofessional way the franchise has managed this shows nothing but contempt for drivers, as LDR’s were still in discussions with local managers when the diagrams were published with the reduced walking times. Those of us who were here at the beginning of privatisation will no doubt be thinking “here we go again” and we would be right, the dark days of Connex are fast returning.

What should drivers expect from the future? Sharp practices on weekly rosters and daily sheet bookings, SDM’s always asking for favours, ad-hoc leave declined and a “Winter of Discontent”.

SOUTHEASTERN JOINT BRANCH MEETING
All ASLEF members are invited to attend the SE Joint Branch meeting on Monday 12 October 2009, at the British Legion Club Tonbridge starting at 1830 hrs. The Agenda will consist of the rules of the SEJB and Pay & Conditions for March 2010.

Yours Fraternally

P. CALVERT P. ROWLAND J. HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

August 2009


DEPOT VISITS
DCC and Graham Morris will be attending Depot Visits for Aug/Sep 2009 which will be as follows: Grove Park Tuesday 25 August, Ramsgate Tuesday 08 September 2009.

DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL - REPRESENTATION
Recently a number of Drivers who were not in ASLEF have requested DCC members to represent them at Gross Misconduct hearings due to our high success rate with ASLEF members. Although we realise the severity of a Gross Misconduct charge, DCC members will only represent ASLEF members at Gross Misconduct hearings. Now is the time to join ASLEF before it is too late.

DRIVERS’ SHIRTS
Drivers Company Council have raised with management the problem drivers are experiencing in regards to the colour of the shirt and the reflection in the Networker fleet speedometers. Management do not seem to think that this creates a problem as they have not had many cases of drivers reporting the problem. Drivers Company Council have produced a survey which has been sent to your local LDR, if you feel that the reflection in the speedometer is an inconvenience/distraction which could easily be remedied with a darker coloured shirt – PLEASE SIGN YOU DEPOT SURVEY.

HAND DE-SANITIZER
Drivers will shortly be issued with hand de-sanitizers (pump action bottle) at their depot, you can request this from your DM.

SICKNESS CERTIFICATION UPDATE
Drivers have had to supply private certificates ever since DRI was implemented in 1997. This has been disliked by Drivers for years and previous DCC members have tried hard to remove it unsuccessfully.

Drivers Company Council have agreed in principle to the new AAW Policy with management, which removes the need for Drivers to provide a private sick certificates for up to 7 days. There will be further discussions with management in regards to the implementation date and how it comes into force but it will be sometime later this year.

DCC have worked hard to make sure that this item which is so disliked by Drivers, is changed outside of
any Pay & Conditions deal and is at nil cost to the Driver, (you are not giving anything up to get it).



Yours Fraternally

P. CALVERT P. ROWLAND J. HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

July 2009

MOBILE PHONES/ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Drivers are reminded to switch off mobile phones or any personal electrical equipment whilst in the driving cab.

Drivers Company Council have recently dealt with a case where a driver was reported to be wearing a hands-free/earpiece whilst in the driving cab, these can be noticed by passengers who do report such incidents to the company, which leads to drivers being taken off the track, investigations to be carried out and phone records to be checked (whether by the call log on the phone or requesting the bill). These cases ultimately lead to a driver being charged with gross misconduct which may possibly lead to the termination of their contract of employment.

Their WILL be a case of a driver being dismissed from the company for using a mobile phone/electrical equipment whilst in the driving cab – MAKE SURE IT IS NOT YOU.


NETWORKER PIS SYSTEM

It has been reported to Drivers Company Council by Fleet that the Passenger Information System on some Networker units have been vandalised, drivers are requested to make sure the internal cab door and the windows are closed when you leave the cab. If drivers notice that the Passenger Information System has been vandalised please report this to Fleet. Fleet are currently monitoring the units.


DRIVERS’ SHIRTS

Drivers Company Council have raised with management the problem drivers are experiencing in regards to the colour of the shirt and the reflection in the Networker fleet speedometers. Management do not seem to think that this creates a problem as they have not had many cases of drivers reporting the problem. Drivers Company Council will be producing a survey which will be sent to your local LDR, if you feel that the reflection in the speedometer is an inconvenience/distraction which could easily be remedied with a darker coloured shirt – PLEASE SIGN YOU DEPOT SURVEY.


Yours Fraternally

P. CALVERT P. ROWLAND J. HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

SOUTHEASTERN JOINT BRANCH
Page 1 of 4
Proposal for Southeasten Joint Branch Rules and Standing Orders
The Southeastern Joint Branch is not recognised in the ASLEF rulebook. However, traditionally, Joint Branch meetings have always taken place. As the membership has now taken the responsibility for the running of the Southeastern Joint Branch by electing its own officers it should adopt rules and standing orders that will enable this forum to operate democratically and efficiently in support of the “Southeastern” TOC Branches it supports.
Therefore any rules adopted are done so and maintained voluntarily by the Southeastern TOC ASLEF members.
1. Southeastern Joint Branch
(a) There will be three meetings of the Southeastern Joint Branch each year. The last meeting in the year shall also be the Annual General Meeting.
At the Annual General meeting the members will elect the Joint Branch Officers for the following year, decide meeting dates, times and venues for the following year and scrutinise and vote to change if necessary any of the Joint Branch Rules and Standing Orders.
(b) Special Joint Branch meetings may be convened as the Joint Branch committee see fit or as per Joint Branch Standing Orders.
The Joint Branch Committee shall consist of:
Joint Branch Chairman,
Joint Branch Vice- Chair,
Joint Branch Secretary,
Joint Branch assistant secretary,
Branch representatives, one from each Southeastern Branch (preferably the Branch Secretary)
(c) Members will have the power to remove any officer they are dissatisfied with at a special, Joint Branch meeting, convened for this purpose.
(d) The Southeastern Joint Branch is to represent and support the interests of those ASLEF Branches geographically within, and, their members employed under, the “Southeastern” franchise.
(e) Under no circumstances will any Southeastern Joint Branch rules or standing orders contravene or undermine the Rules of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen, as published, or any of its revised editions.
SOUTHEASTERN JOINT BRANCH
Page 2 of 4
2. Southeastern Joint Branch Committee
(a) The Southeastern Joint Branch Committee shall have delegated power from the membership, (As defined in section 1 (d)), to superintend and conduct the business of the Southeastern Joint Branch according to these rules. It shall in all things act for and in the interests of the Southeastern Joint Branch.
(b) Any two members of the Joint Branch Committee may call a special meeting of the Joint Branch Committee by giving the Joint Branch Secretary seven clear days notice in writing. At such a special meeting no other business may be discussed other than that given in the notice.
(c) Branch Representatives for the Joint Branch Committee should be the Branch Secretary of the individual Branch. However the Branch may wish to elect or delegate another member to stand on the Joint Branch Committee as it sees fit.
3. Joint Branch Meetings
(a) Any Joint Branch Meeting, ordinary, committee or special, shall be conducted as per the standing orders adopted at a meeting of the Joint Branches. Such standing orders will be read out on request at any Joint Branch Meeting.
(b) Every question at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes of members present at the meeting. In the event of the votes cast being equal the Chair shall have a casting vote.
(c) Only eligible members as per 1 (d), above, and as defined in the ASLEF rulebook, 10.2 (d) will be entitled to vote on any question at the joint Branch meeting.
4. Joint Branch Secretary Duties
(a) It shall be the responsibility of the Joint Branch Secretary to ensure the smooth organisation and running of the Southeastern Joint Branch.
(b) The Joint Branch Secretary shall attend to all communications, keep correct minutes of the resolutions and proceedings of the meetings of the Joint Branch and Joint Branch Committee and give any information as may be required appertaining to the post and duties of Joint Branch Secretary as may be required.
(c) The Joint Branch Secretary will circulate all notices, agendas and minutes of Joint Branch meetings to Branch Secretaries, as per standing orders.
SOUTHEASTERN JOINT BRANCH
Page 3 of 4
5. Assistant Branch Secretaries/ Joint Branch Chair and Vice Chair Duties
(a) It shall be the duty of the Joint Branch Assistant Secretary to act in accordance with the instructions of the Joint Branch Secretary or, in his/her absence, to act in accordance with the Joint Branch rules and instructions of the Joint Branch membership.
(b) The Joint Branch Chair will
 Preside at all meetings of the Joint Branch and Joint Branch Committee.
 Ensure the Joint Branch meetings are conducted within all the rules.
 Advise in respect of matters of procedure or interpretation of the rules.
 Ensure the Joint Branch Meetings are not conducted in anyway, which contravenes or undermines the rules of the ASLEF rulebook, as per 1 (e) above.
(c) The Vice- Chair will:
Assist the Joint Branch Chair as requested by him/her. Chair all the meetings of the Joint Branch or Joint Branch Committee and perform the duties as required of the Joint Branch Chair in his/her absence.
6. Joint Branch Standing Orders
(a) The Joint Branch shall meet quarterly at the date and venue as set by the Joint Branch Annual General Meeting. Special meetings shall be called by agreement of the Joint Branch Chair and Secretary or by a decision of the Joint Branch committee.
(b) Meetings shall commence at the time agreed by the Joint Branch Annual General Meeting.
(c) The last meeting in the year shall also be the Annual General meeting.
(d) Five (5) members shall be required to make a quorum.
(e) The District Organiser, Executive Committee member for District No1 and Southern Company Council shall be invited to each meeting. Each shall give a brief report to the meeting on their current activities.
(f) Members of the Retired Members Section may attend and participate in meetings but cannot vote.
(g) A notice of meeting and request for agenda items will be prepared and circulated by the Joint Branch Secretary to all Southeastern Branches with a closure notice two weeks prior to the meeting date.
(h) An agenda for a Joint Branch meeting will be prepared by the Joint Branch Secretary and be circulated to all Southeastern Branches, with a request that it be printed and posted on notice boards, at least seven days prior to the meeting.
SOUTHEASTERN JOINT BRANCH
Page 4 of 4
(i) Notice of motions should be sent in writing to the Joint Branch Secretary at least seven days before the meeting. The chair in consultation with members may relax this Standing Order.
(j) At a Joint Branch Meeting the agenda will be read along with minutes from the previous meeting.
(k) Any member who speaks should state their name and the Branch they represent, (for records).
(l) For any motion put forward by a Branch, that Branch should elect a speaker and seconder to move the motion.
(m) Any motion put forward by an individual member must be moved by that individual member and have a seconder.
(n) The mover of any motion shall have the right to speak for ten minutes on the motion. Any seconder or subsequent speaker shall have a maximum of five minutes to speak.
(o) No speaker shall speak more than once on each motion except the mover of the motion, who will have the right of reply.
(p) If an amendment is put to the motion a member may speak on the amendment even though they may have spoken on the original motion.
(q) The mover of the original motion shall have the right of reply following amendments and then the vote on the amendment will be taken.
(r) If the amendment becomes the adoptive motion the right of reply shall not apply if this motion is subsequently amended.
(s) If the chair feels a motion has been discussed sufficiently or there are no more speakers the chair shall call for a vote.
(t) Voting will be by a show of hands and the chair will declare the result in the appropriate terms of unanimous, carried or fall.
(u) In the event of an equal vote the chair will have the casting vote.
(v) Standing Orders may be suspended if a motion to do so is supported by two thirds of the members present.
(w) Each meeting agenda will have time allocated for an “open” session whereby invitees may be questioned and give answers to members. Each member must state his name and branch before the question is put, for the record, and should state the question clearly, for the record. Members are welcome to ask questions but must not make statements. The Chairs decision will be final if he/she decides a question is not valid or reasonable and the question will not be allowed and not be recorded in the minutes.
(x) Invitees may take part in debates but are unable to vote.
(y) Nominees for Joint Branch Officers must be proposed and seconded and voting will be by a show of hands. Election shall be by a majority. In the event that voting is equal the Chair will have the casting vote.

ON THE RECORD
SOUTHEASTERN
DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL
NEWSLETTER
Email; Driverscc04@aol.com Website; www.aslef.org.uk/southeastern
Office Tel No: 02072341026, Mobile: 07771501293
July 2009

DEPOT VISITS
DCC and Graham Morris will be attending Depot Visits for July/August 2009 which will be as follows: Gillingham Wednesday 29 July 2009, Grove Park Tuesday 25 August 2009

ELECTION OF EC MEMBER DISTRICT ONE
Marz Colombini was elected to the ASLEF position of Executive Committee member for District 1, Marz would like to thank all ASLEF Southeastern members who voted for him.

CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME
DCC have been raising this issue with management for a while now and are pleased that management have now embraced the Cycle to Work scheme.
Employees can take advantage of a government tax break designed to get employees cycling to work. The tax break gives you huge savings on bike and cycling accessories. You can spend anywhere from £100 up to a maximum of £600 on a bike and accessories in £10 increments. This can work out as little as £6 a month. You can buy road bikes, mountain bikes, town and trail bikes, and folding bikes. Information can be found on the Southeastern intranet, click on Southeastern toolbox then click on Awards and Benefits, then click on Exclusive discounts for Southeastern employees.
This offer is for a limited time only 29 JUNE to 26 JULY 2009.

SICKNESS CERTIFICATION
DCC will have a final meeting with management together with reps from TESSA & the RMT to discuss Company Policies including the Attendance at Work procedure and the removal of Drivers having to supply doctor’s sick certificates for up to 7 days. This meeting will take place on 22 July 2009.

CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION AUTHOURITY
Claims to the CICA must have a minimum value of £1000. To determine this you must have attended a doctor on at least 2 occasions and symptoms must have lasted for at least 6 weeks. In summary; submit claims as soon as possible, see your GP and company doctor, request to be referred to a counsellor or psychologist (if required), respond to all requests for information from the CICA and Thompsons solicitors without delay. All claims must initially go through your local ASLEF Branch Secretary.

HIGH SPEED
Next years annual leave change-overs were finalised on 30 June 2009, and will be forwarded to Jim Maxwell (HS Ops Manager) for publication. All further applications will be done on a “first come first served” basis.

FOLIAGE REPORTING
Drivers are reminded that where foliage is starting to obscure signals or hitting the side of the train, it is important to report this and complete the relevant forms to enable Network Rail to remedy the situation.



P CALVERT P ROWLAND J HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

Please do not deface this notice, any queries please contact

ON THE RECORD
SOUTHEASTERN
DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL
NEWSLETTER
Email; Driverscc04@aol.com Website; www.aslef.org.uk/southeastern
Office Tel No: 02072341026, Mobile: 07771501293

June 2009
PHIL KENNEDY – SLADE GREEN
Slade Green Driver Phil Kennedy sadly passed away on 21 May 2009; Phil was a loyal ASLEF member and a true gentleman. A collection for Phil’s family is taking place at Slade Green Depot. The funeral will take place on Wednesday 10 June 2009, 1230 hrs at Eltham Crematorium.

DEPOT VISITS
DCC and Graham Morris will be attending Depot Visits for June/July 2009 which will be as follows: Tonbridge Tuesday 30 June, Gillingham Monday 20 July 2009.

FREE DAY WORKING AGREEMENT
DCC approached the Company in regards to a Free Day Working agreement once again in April, to cover the current training requirements. Management have responded saying “They see no need to enter into a Free Day Working agreement”

CLAUSE MOVES
Drivers are reminded that if they register a Clause move and then subsequently wish to withdraw it for personal/moving to HS1/domestic reasons, they must write to their DM requesting to withdraw their move and also keep a copy of the letter.

DRIVER’S SHIRTS
A Risk assessment was carried out regarding the reflection of the driver’s shirt in the speedometer on the Networker fleet during bright sunshine. DCC were in attendance with management during this risk assessment and demonstrated the problem drivers are experiencing, we are now waiting for management to compile the outcome of the risk assessment.

HIGH SPEED DEPOTS
The 2010 annual leave rosters for Ashford High Speed, Faversham High Speed and Ramsgate High Speed depots have been completed. High Speed drivers should use the specific form when applying for a vacancy or submitting a mutual exchange. The forms should be faxed to 002 1123, when more than one driver applies for a vacancy they will be entered into a draw to decide who fills the vacancy. The draw will take place on Tuesday 30th of June 2009. Application forms need to be faxed before midday on Monday 29th June 2009. Drivers may apply for more than one vacancy, but will need to make clear on the forms, their order of preference. Forms received after midday on Monday the 29th of June 2009 will be dealt with on a “first come first served” basis.

MANNING OF CLASS 395 UNITS
As we have previously stated the High Speed service, run with class 395 units, will not be run DRIVER ONLY OPERATED (P). All of these services will have an “On Board Manager” throughout the journey. The OBM will have enhanced competency to deal with passenger incidents, support drivers through evacuation, deal with train alarms and will also be able to perform protection on NRIL when the driver is incapacitated.


P CALVERT P ROWLAND J HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

Please do not deface this notice, any queries please contact DCC

ON THE RECORD
SOUTHEASTERN
DRIVERS COMPANY COUNCIL
NEWSLETTER
Email; Driverscc04@aol.com Website; www.aslef.org.uk/southeastern
Office Tel No: 02072341026, Mobile: 07771501293
March 2009

ASLEF - NATIONAL ORGANISER POSITION
Simon Weller was elected to the ASLEF position of National Organiser, for a term of 5 years. Simon would like to thank all the members on Southeastern who voted for him.

ASLEF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER DISTRICT 1
As Simon Weller has vacated the EC position, ASLEF will be seeking nominations for the position shortly.

LEAVE ENTITLEMENT & ARRANGEMENTS
DCC have discussed with management about changes to Conditions of Service item 7.8 Adjustment of Leave following Sickness. Drivers will no longer be deducted 2 annual leave days for each calendar month (over 3 month period) from their entitlement whilst off sick.

FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
Recent changes to the law now mean that anyone with children under 16 may request Flexible Working arrangements.

DEPOT VISITS
DCC and Graham Morris will be attending Depot Visits for March/April 2009 which will be as follows: Ashford Wednesday 22 April.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
DCC are in discussions with management regarding an Inclement Weather agreement, in regards to what happened on Monday 02 February 2009 as the majority of staff could not get into work.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS
The rmt, including Cinque Ports Branch Secretary and Asst Branch Secretary are now no longer in dispute with Southeastern over the manning and dispatch of the 395 units that will be Driver Only Dispatch (Not DOO) as the controls for the doors are in the DRIVING CAB. It has taken a long time, through many petty squabbles and putting out miss-information but they have now seen the light, getting to this point a lot earlier would have benefitted the rmt members much more as the 395 On Board manager jobs have been over subscribed by a majority of rmt members. DCC wish all applicants every success.

HIGH SPEED DRIVERS
DCC will be meeting with management (including Jim Maxwell HS1 Operations Manager) on 15 Apr to discuss HS1 diagrams and rosters. DCC will put out an On The Record in April solely dedicated to HS1.

CHANGES TO CIRAS
Reference ASLEF Circular 15 Jan 09, we can confirm that CIRAS reports are a standing item at the Southeastern Joint Safety Committee meetings (held quarterly) at FBC. However it should be made clear that any subject that might be raised by an individual should first be dealt with by the management
of their respective TOC, before approaching CIRAS with a report.

P CALVERT P ROWLAND J HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Offr.

Please do not deface this notice, any queries please contact DCC

PAY & CONDITIONS OFFER 2

POINTS OF CLARIFICATION RAISED AT THE OPEN MEETINGS
December 2007

ANNUAL LEAVE
The Annual Leave is still set at 32 days even though the working week is being reduced. The Annual Leave deduction is as it is now: 1 Annual Leave day for 1 working day (e.g. if you have 4 rest days in a week then 3 Annual Leave days will be deducted).

HIGH SPEED 1 - ALLOWANCE
The HS1 Allowance is £3100; this money was never in the budget to be distributed between all Drivers. The £3100 was part of the Franchise money to enable the company to set up the HS1 service. HS1 & DI Allowances will be paid when off sick.

JANUARY RPI
The reason the RPI is used in January is because it sets the RPI 2 months before the pay review in March, also there is no month that is significantly higher than any other month over the last 10 years.

SALARY INCREASES
The 1st year is 4.35% - the Jan 07 RPI was 4.2%.
The 2nd year is 4% or RPI+ 0.5% whichever is the greater - the Jan 08 RPI is predicted at 3.6%.
The 3rd year is 3% or RPI+ 0.5% whichever is the greater - the Jan 09 RPI is predicted at 2.2%.

PROMOTION TRANSFER & REDUNDANCY
There are no changes to the existing Promotion Transfer & Redundancy (PT&R) arrangements.

ASLEF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
DCC and the District Organiser attended a meeting with the ASLEF EC on Thursday 13 December 2007, to discuss the current Pay & Conditions offer. The EC sanctioned putting the offer to Southeastern ASLEF members by referendum. The dates of the referendum are as follows: opens (papers sent out) week commencing 17 December 2007, closes 15 January 2008.

MISINFORMATION
It has been brought to our attention that an unofficial notice has been published, containing misinformation, half truths and flawed mathematics. WHAT IT DOES NOT SAY IS THAT UNDER THE 1ST OFFER A DRIVERS AVERAGE WORKING DAY WAS 8 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES, UNDER THE NEW OFFER IT IS ONLY 8 HOURS. This miss representation of the facts is being made by individuals who hope to block acceptance of the pay offer because it is not what they personally want.

ANY DRIVER, WHO NEEDS CLARIFICATION, PLEASE CONTACT, COMPANY COUNCIL MB. 07771501293. INT. 0021026. EMAIL. driverscc@aol.com or GRAHAM MORRIS MB 07970059174.

XDM – Version 3.1

XDM is a comprehensive system for remote, scheduled download of train data and upload into a readable format for the identification and solution of problems. All 375 and 376 units are downloaded each night remotely using the XDM system, which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, currently this is only happening in the country area (regarding delays) but will shortly be introduced in the London area. XDM was primarily designed to enable Fleet to find units faults and rectify them quickly but as a bi-product of this system is has been identified that it can be useful in performance/delay management, in regards to dealing with Network Rail. When a delay report is received from Network Rail the Performance/Delay Manager will check the unit first using the XDM system, if it appears that the unit had a traction or door problem at the time of the delay, the delay report will be sent to Fleet rather than the Driver to answer. This system, we have been assured by management is about quicker fault remedy, faster identification of who answers for the delay (Network Rail, Fleet, Ops, Commercial), management staff are not sifting through endless train downloads to try to catch anyone out, incidents are only being highlighted through the delay/performance process only.

The train data is recorded on board, from systems across the asset, (e.g. door operations, air conditioning, toilet facility management, passenger information system, GPS and systems for estimating passenger loading). This data can be used by various functions to assist with the planning and scheduling of engineering maintenance works, incident management and investigation, fleet fault identification and for the analysis of total fleet performance.

The data can be taken from the on-board system either manually using a laptop, or via a phone line. XDM uses the latter means and allows the user to schedule the daily data downloads: requests downloads in an ad hoc fashion, and view all the data for analysis. The data is split into three types:

1. Load-Weight Data – used predominantly to identify how many people are on a train at any one time. Other information in the file, such as station stops and door opening information, makes the loading data more comprehensive.

2. Condition Data – a snap shot of the condition of the train, the main causes of the data will be in maintenance planning.

3. TDS Events Data – used in failure analysis in order to then use it as a prediction guide. Each event happens at a particular location and as a reaction to other previous events.


Yours Fraternally


P. CALVERT P. ROWLAND J. HOLMES
SECRETARY CHAIRMAN RECRUITMENT Offr.

CLICK HERE TO E MAIL COMPANY COUNCIL

Colleagues



Please note the reason I have not been able to meet with Nigel Cotton is that he has been off sick for the last 6 weeks. I will be arranging to meet him at the earliest opportunity.



Graham

January 2007

DCC ELECTIONS
Drivers Company Council would like to express our appreciation to all the Drivers who voted and supported us in the DCC Election. This being the first OTR of 2007 DCC wishes all ASLEF drivers a happy new year. As many of you know there has been a change in DCC. Joe Holmes of Grove Park has replaced Bill Williams. Bill served on DCC for over 6 years and was considered a vital part of council, his knowledge and expertise will be missed. We would like to say a heart felt thank you to Bill for all the hard work and effort that he gave to council and in turn to all Southeastern drivers. We wish Bill well for the future.

PAY & CONDITIONS 2007
We shall be talking with management about this item shortly and there is no truth in the rumours that talks have been postponed until later in the year. Our review date is 04 March 2007.
At this point in time the management have given us very little information on their requirements for the domestic high-speed link other than the 3 new depots with approximately 30 drivers at each. As no doubt you all can imagine, negotiations for all of this will be long and complex.
We will keep you updated as and when possible.

DEPOT VISITS
A list of dates will be posted at depots, where DCC & the District Organiser Graham Morris will be in attendance to speak to Drivers face to face.

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS
There have also been rumours circulating that management want to reduce the number of DI’s. We have not seen or heard anything to substantiate this. There will always be a steady turn over in drivers for whatever reason, (high speed link depots, pay deals, etc.) therefore the current number of DI’s will still be required.


Yours Fraternally


P. CALVERT. P. ROWLAND. J. HOLMES.

Drivers Company Council has recently been loaned an ASLEF banner from Grove Park Branch, the banner is displayed in the DCC office Room 9 at Cannon street.

Please print off this e-mail and picture and post in your notice board.

ALL ASLEF MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO VIEW THIS BANNER, PLEASE COME INTO THE OFFICE IF YOU ARE AT CANNON STREET ON YOUR BREAK OR PHONE DCC TO ARRANGE A VISIT.

THIS BANNER IS PART OF OUR HISTORY ON THIS REGION.

Yours Fraternally

P Calvert

P Rowland

J Holmes