RMT Trains Council representative Dean O'Hanlon writes ...

I attended today’s meeting of the Instructor Operator (I/Op) Joint Working Party and we discussed the following:

1. Staff side raised concerns that members of the operational learning team (currently unemployed due to lack of recruitment!) were being sent out to specifically monitor the PAs of I/Ops and instances were specifically raised on the Northern and Met lines. ASLEF provided a copy of letters being sent to all drivers on the Northern Line (It was raised at a branch meeting that Finn Brennan attended) which states that they are falling behind their targets on PAs and that I/Ops were being specifically monitored. We raised our objections and pointed out that there has been no consultation on this matter and that it falls outside their normal Competence Management regime and management committed to give us a response today but we have reserved right to refer it to an ad hoc TFC if the response is not satisfactory.

2. As part of Comp Management System (CMS) we have been in discussion with them on this committee on how the training aspect of I/Ops' role is assessed. They provided us with the workplace coaches document covering activities they expect to be covered which we can comment on. We then discussed a proposal that we tabled previously that if any I/Op fails in this aspect of their role then they should be given an opportunity to improve with further training along the lines of the case conference approach.(ie. non punitive). Management disagreed and stated they would look at the disciplinary approach on unsatisfactory performance. Failure to agree referred to TFC.

3. We raised concerns on the last Met Line I/Ops campaign where the committee was not consulted before it started against agreement and resulted in a low pass rate and a number of other local issues. Debate ensued and management agreed for it not to happen like this in future.

4. I raised issues raised at our branch by an I/Op of the failures of training etc and how I believed that there were a number of frustrations that should be addressed by level one committees. Management saw no problem with this approach which I believe should be best practice. I.e have it as a standing item on level one committees.

5. We asked for a breakdown of equality stats and numbers of current I/Ops.