Three Bridges - East Grinstead - Ashurst Junction closed
on Sunday 1st January 1967
On Sunday 1st January, 1967, was the last day of operation with the 22.08 Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells West. The 22.09 from London Victoria via East Grinstead High Level and Forest Row to Tunbridge Wells was the last service to work over this section.
No further trains used East Grinstead High Level, the St Margaret's Loop and Goods Spur were also closed.
Three Bridges to Rowfrant was retained a little longer to serve the oil depot at Rowfant.
It was another two years before the track was lifted on the branch and station buildings demolished at Grange Road and East Grinstead.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 1967
BONUS INCENTIVE SCHEME
The opening weeks of 1967 held all the making of a first class rapture in labour relations on British Railways. This situation arose from the continued delays experienced by the Society in seeking implementation of the agreement reached with the British Railways Board in October 1965t the "negotiations will be resumed immediately for a national incentive bonus scheme for freight train crews, and the inclusion of Shunting Drivers in Marshalling Yard, Shed and Works Incentive Schemes." Furthermore, we had been totally unable to obtain satisfactory assurances in relation to any redundancy arising."
On December 20th the Executive Committee, having received an up to date report on the situation unanimously adopted a resolution in the following terms:-
"That the report, memo and correspondence be noted, and in light of the B.R.B.'s refusal to honour the agreement of 28th October, 1965, the General Secretary be instructed to circularise Branches, instructing our members to apply a national policy of work to Rule, and a ban on Rest Day working, from 12.01 a.m. on 16th January 1967."
Minister Intervenes
Arising from the ultimatum the Minister of Labour intervened, and a meeting between the parties was arranged for January 6th. The sole effect of this meeting, however, was to heighten and confirm the difficulties already existing. In putting forward "principles" which in their view should govern the development of incentive bonus schemes, the B.R.B. representatives insisted upon the following in connection with any redundancy arising from such schemes:-
"The savings arising from any incentive scheme must accrue currently or within a short period to be determined beforehand by Management; there must be no long period during which payments are made in excess of the savings actually realised. This means that staff rendered surplus by an incentive scheme would be dealt with under normal redundancy or redeployment arrangements."
In other words: although the provision for "immediate" negotiation of bonus schemes formed part of the October 1965 Agreement, there was to be no benefit of Clause D(4) of that Agreement, which states that:-
"Footplate staff surplus to requirements at a depot as a result of the introduction of the arrangements set out in this Agreement, will be allowed to remain at their depot until absorbed into permanent posts by the normal processes of the Promotion Arrangements, or transferring, should they wish, to another depot in accordance with the Redundancy Arrange-ments."
Management's attitude in this vital matter was of course totally unacceptable by this Society, and a state of complete deadlock continued so far as the Society and the Board were concerned.
At the Ministry
On January 10th, 11th, and 12th a number of meetings were held at the Ministry of Labour, and in the course of the discussions we accepted a proposal by the Minster
(1) that Mr. A.J. Scamp be called in to "assist in interpreting" on the question of redundancy arrangements: and
(2) that subsequently Mr. Scamp should, if desired, also assist in resolving any difficulties that might arise over the formation of incentive bonus schemes, it being open to him to put forward his own suggestions to the parties in order to assist them in reaching an agreed solution. (It will be recalled that it was Mr. A.J. Scamp who conducted the Court of Inquiry as a result of which the October 1965 Agreement was reached.)
On January 12th Mr. Scamp heard at the Ministry the arguments of the respective parties, and on the following day he made known his findings on the issues submitted to him.
Our Arguments Upheld
These findings, set out in a typewritten document of 13 paragraphs, upheld the contentions of this Society. On redundancy he came to the conclusion that the arrangements in Clause D(4) of the 1965 Agreement, as quoted above, must be held also to apply to the staff to be covered in the further negotiations for which the same Agreement males provisions in relation to incentive bonus schemes.
Furthermore, Mr. Scamp added that he hoped negotiations on bonus schemes could be resumed quickly; if it was the wish of the parties he was willing to assist in the process of such negotiations.
Branches are aware that these findings were accepted by the E.C. as a satisfactory basis for withdrawal of the instruction previously given to our members for special action as from January 16th. At the time of writing joint meetings are being held at the Ministry of Labour, and presided over by Mr. Scamp, in order to formulate acceptable incentive bonus schemes; and branches will be kept in this connection.
Meantime we record our deepest appreciation of the many evidences of overwhelming support which the E.C. have received from the membership, both during and since the period of deadlock.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 1967
THREE BRIDGES
At our A.G.M. appreciation was expressed to Driver F. Marshall (retired) for services to the Branch; also a welcome was given to recent appointees to the depot from other Regions.
The November meeting dealt mainly with items for the 1967 A.A.D.; the principal item concerns the Driver’s rate on a salaried basis and consists of a formula which would give the E.C. room to manoeuvre in the light of negotiations.
It was submitted that Second Men should automatically receive a rise on passing a driving examination.
The A.G.M. consisted almost entirely of discussion on L.D.C.; D.C.; Form 1; Manning of Traction with hand operated D.S.D.; Continuous Duty; Rationalisation of E.M.U.T. and M.T. Depots, Central Division; Change of Booking-on Point; and the difficulties being created before the move takes place, through another Department taking over the Shed before the present occupants move out.
Branch Chairman.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 1967
THREE BRIDGES
The meeting on January 13 agreed to the proposal that a presentation be made to Driver C. Stokes for services to the Branch.
The taking over the depot by the C.C.E. came in for further discussion. It was pointed out that the taking over of redundant depots with men still in them was taking place all over the country to the detriment of those men; so that as this was a national problem, a motion was adopted to go to H.O.
The averted non-cooperation was discussed at some length. It was notes that the redundancy safe-guards were reaffirmed, which was welcomed.
An investigation was asked for into the cause of two fires on electro-diesels – one involving a Three Bridges Driver. A motion was formulated and submitted to H.O.
Branch Secretary
Three Bridges
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
MARCH 1967
THREE BRIDGES
The meeting on May 2 commenced with one minute’s silence for the Fireman B.A. Brown, killed in a accident on his way home from work, a great loss both to his parents and to the depot.
The bonus dispute was then discussed and a resolution was voted reaffirming the Branch’s previous resolution on manning and bonus, endorsing the E.C.’s decision to press for a flat-rate payment.
The rest of the meeting was turned to Mr. K. Perry, Staff Side Secretary, Sectional Council No.2, he talked on the closure of the Guildford and Heathfield (Cuckoo) branches.
There would be a loss of four turns ----- and one R.D.R. at Three Bridges – as there are vacancies the lost would be three Drivers surplus. Another item was the proposed amalgamation of E.M.U.T. and M.T. depots; this is interesting as it would eliminate the nuisance of relief ------ as they have served no useful purpose. The amalgamation proposals depend on the revision of R.S.N.T. L211.
Vote of thanks to Mr. Perry was passed.
Branch Secretary
Three Bridges
**Owing to the fold of journal in the binder, it was difficult to read the full report, this will be addresses shortly.
BATTERSEA & CLAPHAM JUNCTION
A.S.L.E.& F. BRANCH RENAMED
The Battersea & Clapham Junction (name was a short lived name) was renamed back to Battersea Battersea.
The date is not known and hopefully confirmation will be known shortly!
Extracted and adapted from
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday April 30th 1967 at 10.45 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station
The Branch then recorded their vote for Bro. W.H. Williams Feltham Electric as their candidate for Executive Committee Representative, District No. 1.
The L.D.C. report was then given by Bro. Brooker following a meeting held at Waterloo on April 8th and at Victoria on April 26th. The purpose of these meetings being the new timetable, extra trains units weekdays, less on Saturdays and Sundays, and the staff position for immediate future, a very interesting report.
Following this came the report from the Branch Chairman and minute Secretary on the Public Inquiry Meeting at the Assembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, April 26th, 27th , & “28th into the closure of the Lewes to Hurst Green line. A vote of thanks from the floor was given to the Chairman and Secretary for their coverage of this meeting.
There being no other business, the Chairman thanked all members present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 1.0 p.m.
Members present Bros. R. Bridger, A. Brooker, A. Rigby & K. Savage.
Railway accident on British Railways
Southern Region
Central Division
LEATHERHEAD A.S.L.E.& F. BRANCH CLOSES
JUNE 1967
In June 1967, the E.M.U.T. depot at Effingham Junction Central, and the South Western Leatherhead E.M.U.T. depot closed in June 1967. Three Effingham ‘C’ were made redundant, Drivers R. Black (15.03.1948) & M.J. Oakley (15.04.1952) transferred to Effingham South Western depot and Driver H.C. Wilkinson (02.06.1948) transferred to Guildford E.M.U.T. depot. Leatherhead branch of A.S.L.E.& F. also closed at about the same time. Effingham E.M.U.T. South Western remained open and closed in the late 1980s.
There was also redundant drivers / firemen at Redhill E.M.U.T., Ore E.M.U.T., Cannon Street E.M.U.T., Ascot E.M.U.T., Lymington Loco, Nine Elms Loco & Farnham
Extracted and adapted from
Ore Branch Meeting
25th June 1967
Redundancy
Bro. Wrisburgh informed by Seaford, Brighton & Eastbourne L.D.C.s that there would be no Rest Day working with redundant men at depot. Branch decided Bro. Wrisburgh should write letter of protest to Head Office.
DEMOLITION OF WEST HOATHLY STATION JULY 1967
BY THREE BRIDGES ENGINEMEN
Dave Shopland, Ray Young, Bob Hickman & Eric Hodgkinson
KAREN SHOPLAND COLLECTION
KAREN SHOPLAND COLLECTION