BRIGHTON BRANCH MEETING

HELD ON JANUARY 12th 1998

A.O.B.

Chairman spoke about the open joint branch meeting held on Friday 9^th January and that 

Bro. S. Weller had attended and asked for a brief report on the meeting.

Meeting had been arranged to give members a chance to hear about the latest position on 

Driver restructure. The meeting heard that talks on the package had continued on and off 

over the past few months and that a deal would very soon be put before the E.C. and members 

of Connex South Central.

The offer would proberly be based on four packages, three with differnt options and a final 

option of remaining as we are i.e. 

39 hour week, basic rate of pay plus extras i.e. Sundays mileage etc.

One package would be a higher salary based on all conditions conceded.

The others would differ in salary based on certain conditions being withdrawn.

No actual salary sum had been agreed this was the last area to be agreed upon.

All the points raised by members i.e. longer working days, sickness, penalty, A.T.W., remote 

booking off, etc had been notes and that  if a deal was agreed these would be part of that 

deal. It was hoped that the end of January would see the offers being posted to all members. 

Further joint meetings were being arranged with one on the coast, date etc will be 

announced. 

The payslip also shows that the driver had not signed to any individual contract of 

employment that was being offered by Connex. Connex was trying to divide the A.S.L.E.F.

membership by offering the initial restructuring deal to all its drivers, even though the 

A.S.L.E.F. membership had rejected that offer. However a number of drivers were lured into 

accepting  their offer of an individual contract of employment . 

BRIGHTON BRANCH MEETING

HELD ON APRIL 6^th 1998

A report on the position of Thameslink members on the issue of D.O.O. (P) Three Bridges – 

Brighton was put to the members present, also both circulars were read out.

Following this a resolution would be pleased before this branch under Any Other Business. 

L.D.C., Reports

Thameslink

Bro. A. Farmer reported that owing to company council rep, being on annual leave he would make a brief report on the D.O.O. (P) staff side having put forward their case and submittingH&S reports against introduction were informed the scheme would still go ahead. Council have informed the Executive Committee of their position. And that the E.C. had issued a notice of industrial action to ‘Thameslink’ under the trade union act in support of our members

Company Council Report

Bro. Roy Luxford reported on the following items.

Uniforms, changes to standard of various items were now being put into place. Safety shoes 

were part of the issue of 

members put in a request.

Safety Training Days

Management would be introducing more in future.

Company procedure arrangements, Roy explained the companies set up.

Position on discipline and appeals explained

Council applauded Brighton staff Reps. On their success in getting their agreement on 

number of rest days and Sunday working prior to annual leave and mutual change-overs.

Council also explained their position on the recent rest day working arrangements.

Report into the Networker Classic Unit that was being considered as a replacement unit for 

Connex.

Recent report on defective handbrakes on some units.

Council view on ill health severance of members.

Various aspects on D.R.I. Package explained

a, use of comp leave to be used by the end of year.

b, volunteer transfer of depots

c, yearly bonus

d,  attendance procedure as against current M.F.A.

e, short diagram alterations to rosters.

f, statement of intent on depot levels

Question

Members had noted that errors have been made with back pay ie D.O.O., mileage, VRP, etc, 
will this matter be addressed.  Yes – paybills have stated that all errors made will be put right.
Reports have been made that the recent D.R.I. package will not be introduced on April 19^th as it does not meet the safety case. 
Council were not aware to-date, but will look into this matter.
On the question of this year annual leave, what is the number of days agreed. 23 in total, 18 
by October plus 5 to be rostered. 
Branch thank Roy Luxford for his report.

A.O.B.

One item

Following the correspondence, circular and reports given regarding the pending industrial 

ballot of Thameslink members on D.O.O. (P) Three Bridges – Brighton, the following 

resolution was put forward.

“That this A.S.L.E.F. Branch having been informed of the reports and correspondence also 

the A.S.L.E.F. No.122/1998 & 132/1998 Ref. Thameslink D.O.O. (P) Three Bridges to 

Brighton. Ballot for industrial action, fully supports the A.S.L.E.F. Executive Committee 

and their position.” 

Proposed C. Newton & Seconded D. Vallance. 

Vote carried.

BRIGHTON BRANCH MEETING

HELD ON MAY 11^th  1998

D.F.C. Report (Thameslink)

Bro. Swaffield reported on the current dispute with management. Council’s view, as was the 

E.C., that the best way on D.O.O. (P) was part of the Restructuring Package agreed, The 

result of the Ballot by members was excellent, a clear result. 

Thameslink Management have been to the High Court in London, judge has ruled that the 

action is illegal because Service Supervisors and others were balloted.

Council’s case on the method of working was supported by study of ergonomic into the effect 

to drivers, this was conducted by Surrey University, but Thameslink Management have 

ignored these findings.

We are awaiting Head Office response to the High Court ruling. 

Branch Motion

Chairman put forward the motion from last meeting on the pay problems, moved by S. Weller & seconded by A. Gregg.

 “That this Brighton ASLEF Branch finds the current ‘short’ payment by Connex South 

Central of the new hourly rate intolerable.

As such requests the Executive Committee and the Connex South Central Company council 

Management be not forthcoming on this issue the E.C. to investigate proceedings for 

Industrial Action to achieve the fundamental right to correct payment for work performed.”