2nd February

Circular No IR/61/12
Dear Colleagues,
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE INFORMATION STRATEGY – SOUTH WEST TRAINS
I have received proposals from South West Trains to transfer the Customer Service Centre at Southampton into Stagecoach Services Ltd. The company are proposing that all future employees are to be employed on Stagecoach Services Ltd terms and conditions and are asking staff to sign individual acceptance letters. SWT are also unwilling to guarantee recognition for this union and our sister union TSSA at Southampton Customer Service Centre and the company does not recognise this transfer as falling under the TUPE Regulations.
The General Grades Committee has considered this matter and has taken the following decision:

“That we note the report on file and the serious implications the company’s proposals could have on our members. The setting up of Stagecoach Service Ltd is clearly a manoeuvre by the company to create a two tier workforce, that has no other remit than to reduce terms and conditions.
Therefore we instruct the General Secretary to take this issue up with SWT immediately and for a full report to be placed back before us at the earliest opportunity. Further we instruct the General Secretary to obtain a legal opinion on the full proposals and for this opinion to be placed back before us within fourteen days. Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.”

I will now be acting on the instructions of this decision and I will keep you advised of any developments.
Yours sincerely
Bob Crow
General Secretary
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2nd February

Circular No IR/63/12
Dear Colleagues,
DISMISSAL, T. DUKES, DUTY STATION MANAGER – LONDON MIDLAND
Further to my previous circular on the above matter dated 8th December 2011 (IR/587/11), I can report that Sister Trina Dukes was not successful in her appeal against her dismissal. In accordance with the wishes of the General Grades Committee I will now be balloting our Booking Office Staff members at Watford Junction for strike action and industrial action short of a strike in defence of Sister Dukes.
Ballot papers will be despatched to members’ home addresses on Thursday 9th February 2012 and the ballot will close on Thursday 23rd February 2012. I shall, of course, keep you updated with any further developments.
Yours sincerely
Bob Crow
General Secretary
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