Keith Cain From The Call Centre
This is the first opportunity I've had to thank those of you who
supported my re-election to the Board. Since the AGM, there has been a
reshuffle of duties which I'm sure will prove to be beneficial for everyone.
I've been given the title of Driver Operations Manager and Allan Evans has
been given the job of assisting me. We are also continuing with our normal
responsibilities, but in addition we will be available to discuss any
problems you may have.
Signal Problems
Since taking responsibility for Drivers Operations, my first task was to
oversee the transfer of the Drapers Gardens aerial site to Lauderdale Tower
in the Barbican. I was hoping that the move would make some difference to
the ongoing bad signal problems, but unfortunately it has made no difference
whatsoever. But all was not lost, because it gave me the opportunity to
speak for the first time with the Motorola engineers, our own engineers at
Roman Way and Tom Carter about the communication problems we are
experiencing. As expected, each have their own ideas and solutions to the
problems and by the time this article is published, I would have convened a meeting with
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TOP FLOOR NEWS
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everyone to hammer out the problem and reach a solution.
Believe me, Allan Evans and I are only too aware of the frustration being
caused to you. With the limited knowledge I've gained in the past few
weeks, I'm confident that with some adjustments to radios in the cabs and
certain parameters within the despatch system, we can improve the situation.
On Saturday March 15, we took the system down to put in some up-grades.
Following on from this, we will need to bring everyone in to up-grade the
terminals. This will take some planning and I ask you for your patience for
just a few weeks longer.
Broken Terminals
Some drivers have gone to Roman Way asking to have their
terminals changed because the screens have been accidentally damaged (see
photo). The damage to the terminal shown looks like the front screen has
smashed. Unfortunately, in this case the back screen had also
been broken. This incorporates the touch mechanism and the total cost of
repairs amounted to £500. At the last BoM meeting,
it was agreed that
drivers would be made accountable for any damage to the front and rear
screens. We felt that this was a better alternative than introducing a
driver equipment bond.
With immediate effect, any driver presenting his terminal with
a broken screen will have it removed
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and sent to the manufacturers for a
damage assessment.
A temporary screen will not be fitted to the cab and drivers will have to
wait until the screen is repaired and payment received or instructions
signed for the cost of repair to be taken from that driver's credits.
Virgin West Coast Trains
The West Coast Train application forms for the four days over
Easter are available from driver's reception. Please read the instruction
sheet about how the weekend will operate. In brief, we have split the four
days into eight separate shifts - four morning and four evening shifts. Each
driver will only be permitted to work one of the shifts, so please only fill
in ONE form, as no doubt we will have many more drivers volunteering than
numbers of shifts. Each shift has a separate colour-coded form to assist
you. You have three weeks to return your form and the lucky drivers will be
notified on the Monday or Tuesday before Good Friday. Drivers will
again be selected out of the hat and this time each driver's form will be
logged to ensure no one enters more than one form. The form must be
completed correctly and anyone caught not abiding by our instructions, will
have their form disregarded. We are sorry for appearing to be strict, but
it's the only way selection can be carried out fairly to all. The terms for
the contract and the stations we will be servicing are exactly as
before. Good luck to all of you who enter.
Keith Cain
DaC Call Centre Manager /
Drivers Operations Manager
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