A meeting with Lead Officers and Company Council Represntatives from the above companies together with national RMT offcials was convened in Unity House earlier this year. This followed an announcement by the Department of Transport a few months ago to reorganise the current Virgin Cross Country, Silverlink, Midland Mainline and Central Trains franchises into new Cross Country, West Midlands and East Midlands franchises. The new franchises are expected to begin operating in November of this year.

Following the meeting, the General Grades Committee recorded the following decision:

"We note the meeting with our Lead Officers and Company Council Reps has taken place on 20th February 2007 where a number of widespread concerns were expressed by our representatives at impending threats to jobs and services under the guise of the current restructuring of rail franchises in November 2007. We further note the report on file from R.O. Warnock-Smith in relation to Transpennine's introduction of Scottish services.

The General Secretary is instructed to write immediately to all train operating employers implicated in this current refranchising exercise putting to them the questions outlined by our solicitors on 27 April 2005. Further, the General Secretary to prepare a 'Special RMT Members Newsletter' briefing all our members on the legal advice obtained by this union, including TUPE transfers and outlining RMT's political strategy of opposition to cuts to jobs and services. The G.S. to arrange a further mass meeting of first and second stage representatives (with paid release) for all TOCs involved no later than 31 May 2007 in Birmingham - Regional Council and Branch officials to be encouraged to attend. A full organising strategy to be briefed to our representatives at the meeting.

Finally, we instruct the G.S. to produce a Political Campaigning Strategy to fully involve Regional Organisers, Council of Executive members, Regional Councils and Branches in local, regional and national campaigning events, including: 1, a national leaflet for public distribution explaining the failure of the government's refranchising policy and the RMT's alternative policy of bringing train operating back into public ownership; 2, model letters and resolutions for RMT Branches/Regional Councils to take to trades councils, regional TUCs, local authority public meetings and PTE/PTAs to draw attention to threats to rail services as a result of refranchising; 3, EDMs drawing attention to areas of public concern; 4, a late spring/summer public conference involving transport campaigners and trade unions to launch an alternative white paper on railways."

As you see there is a great deal to be done and a lot of this work has already started. Further information, newsletters etc will be made available very shortly. However as a first step arrangements have been made for the mass meeting of Levels 1 and 2 Representatives referred to.

This will take place at 11.00 hours on Wednesday 30th May 2007 in the Main Meeting Room, The Priory Rooms, The Friends Meeting House, 40 Bull Street, Birmingham, B4 6AF

Attendance at the above meetings will be on a paid release basis and I have asked Regional Organisers with responsibility for the companies concerned to secure this as soon as possible.

I have also written to the companies concerned putting to them the questions referred to by the General Grades Committee. These questions essentially relate to members' rights under TUPE in the event of transfers taking place and seek assurances from employers that these will be honoured.

As I said, further information will follow as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
GENERAL SECRETARY