ASLEF CIRCULAR 362/2011

2 Sep 2011

The EC have issued a circular with repect to the continuing situation with DB Schenker over the ballot for Industrial action

The Circular contains the following.

"Members are advised that voting papers for the ballot for Industrial action will be distributed by the Electoral Reform Society today,Friday 2nd September.

Itr has come to the attention of the Executive Committee that DBS Management are attempting to undermine the Ballot through a combination of mis-information and scaremongering.They have therefore instructed me to issue this circular in order to assure members of the validity of the ballot and to ensure that you are fully aware of the background to the dispute before voting.

Firstly the assertion by Management that the ballot has been called in response to the company taking disciplinary action against a single individual is simply incorrect.

The real issue here is the fact that management have continually refused to discuss the introduction of a Competency Development process of the type that is now in widespread use across the Rail Industry and which,wherever possible provides assistance for Drivers in their involvment in a safety of the line incident.

Instead, the company continues with its draconian use of the disciplinary procedures to punish drivers when both employer and employee would be better served by a programme of support.

Secondly, we can assure members that managements insinuation that the Lead Officer is acting independently of the Traincrew Company Council is absolutely false.Throughout the entire process both the Officer and the Council have reported collectively to the Executive Committee who,as always,have the final say in deciding which course of action would best serve our members.

In this case they have felt it neccessary to ask you to endorse their call for Industrial action.I trust you will support your representatives by ignoring the company's attempts to confuse the issues and mislead you by delivering an overwhelming yes vote in the ballot.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of your members.

Yours Fraternally

Keith Norman,General Secretary"