Message from the Chair

Welcome to our new internet home – a long overdue addition to our communication channels, for you, the member. 

It has become evident over recent years and events, no more so than the pensions issue, that effective communication has been our Achilles heel for some time. Involvement requires understanding, and influence requires effective communication. This website will go some way to plugging the information gaps that exist between the branch and the members we represent to ensure that we are shaping our future, and not having it shaped for us.

Members should be directed to this site, as it will be updated on a regular basis, to give you the facts on all issues that affect our membership – terms and conditions, pay, pensions, safety, future systems, two businesses (NERL/NSL) iFACTS, NPC, Just Culture, Europe, all aspects that will have any bearing on our futures. 

So what can you expect in the coming weeks? As many of you will know, the 2 major issues are pay and the Special Delegates Conference this month. You’ll be able to find information on both these subjects on the pages of this website. Rather than dealing with the fruits (dried) of rumour, members will become aware of the facts helping to inform the debate. Too much of our time is spent responding to rumour.

This website has been set-up for your benefit, to increase your awareness and understanding of the issues that directly affect us. This website will evolve over time and you have a say in how this will happen. Please give any feedback via our contact page or to your local rep whose contact details are provided within the site. This is your union – be part of it!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our communications team in getting this set-up, in particular my thanks go to Jon Menice, Matt Switzer, Dave Armstrong and Angus MacCormack, without whom this site would not have got off the ground.

Regards

Paul
Branch Chair