photo: Network Rail/BREAKING: Network Rail starts the legal consultation process on the maintenance reforms. What are the key steps to railways' modernisation?
On July 28, Network Rail formally started the legal consultation process with its trade unions on the maintenance reforms required to modernise and improve productivity and efficiency.
Network Rail has proposed reforms to improve safety, boost train service performance, and save money to make the railway more efficient and financially stable for the future. The aim is to deliver a safer, more reliable and punctual service for both employees and passengers by implementing changes to maintenance practices. The proposed reforms would enable quicker fault fixes by multi-disciplined response teams and greater use of ‘smart meter’ technology flagging issues to control rooms before key equipment failure.
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Network Rail has been in talks with its unions regarding a pay increase for its employees, but the offer must be affordable. The most recent offer – 8% over two years, with heavily discounted travel, a cash bonus and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies – met many of the RMT’s demands and was affordable from within Network Rail's budgets. Funding a pay increase through fare increases or taxes would not be fair or realistic.
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, acknowledges that the pandemic has significantly changed the way people live and work, resulting in fewer commuters and less income. The shortfall this year is estimated at £2bn compared to 2019. The proposed reforms are intended to modernise maintenance work practices and make necessary savings for the future of the railway. Network Rail remains open to negotiation, but progress with the proposed modernisation plans is vital to put the railway on a sustainable financial footing for the future.
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The proposed changes include individual rostering, multifunctional teams, multi-skilling, and accelerated and improved technology deployment. These changes will make maintenance activity much more efficient than it currently is and will help Network Rail catch up with wider norms in comparable industries. A recent Yonder poll of over 2,000 UK adults showed huge support for reforms in the rail industry and dissatisfaction with the RMT’s approach to negotiations.
While the proposed reforms may lead to a smaller maintenance workforce, Network Rail does not expect to have to make any compulsory redundancies. Changes can be made through voluntary severance, retraining and redeployment. The consultation process began on 28 July, with a formal meeting with the trades unions to discuss the implementation of proposed changes to working practices, and the next steps will be agreed upon at this meeting.
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