It is only a year since South Eastern Trains was re-privatised and this is their third attempt to cut staffing levels. It is only seven months since the company stepped back from cuts to platform staff and agreed to honour a pledge to keep high-risk gatelines staffed after our members voted overwhelmingly to strike.

The simple fact is that there are already too few staff on stations and trains, and passengers and rail workers alike want to see more uniformed staff, not fewer.

An emergency resolution on this matter was passed by our South East Regional Council and this has now been considered by the General Grades Committee, which has taken the following decision:

"That noting the resolution from the South East Regional Council we instruct the General Secretary to seek an urgent report from the Lead Officer. In the meantime, the General Secretary is further instructed to immediately inform all of our representatives not to discuss this matter with the company without the involvement of our Lead Officer and to arrange a suitable press release highlighting this union's opposition to the proposals and the contents of the resolution.
Regional Councils and Branches to be advised."

I will keep members fully aware of all developments in this matter and would request that all South Eastern reps take heed of the GGC decision and only discuss this matter with management with the involvement of our Lead Officer.

I would be grateful if you could distribute this information to your members and in particular those who work for South Eastern.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary