Special Voluntary Severance Scheme? Network Fail

We are extremely concerned about you and your colleagues safety and that of our wider rail industry. Network Rail have no plan in place so who knows what the future holds? These are the questions we posed to the company during an avoidance of dispute meeting yesterday.

• Why are Network Rail not aligned with the rest of the RIRG on the roll out of the Special Voluntary Severance Scheme (SVSS)?
• Why have Network Rail varied the industry scheme and their own scheme? i.e. embargoed return?
• How will you determine who can stay and who can go?
• What guarantees do you have that people not selected for Voluntary Severance (VS) will not face compulsory redundancy going forward?
• How will Network Rail ensure that they do not discriminate against members?
• Why have contractors not been removed from post prior to Voluntary Severance (VS) being offered to staff?
• What is your authority on?spending?
• How can you assure the cuts are justified to the taxpayer?
• How is the money to be spread between the regions?
• What amount is allocated for staff in maintenance ops and Bands 5-8?
• Is the first 30k tax free or not?
• How will Network Rail ensure they meet their safety obligations and certifications?
• On what basis will ‘the panel’ of people accept or reject applications?

If you’re wondering why there is a blank space above, it’s because, that’s the response we got. No answers. Not a single one. Network Rail have no plan!

What is Network Rail afraid of?

Why can’t they provide any answers to our questions?

If you are thinking about applying for Special Voluntary Severance Scheme (SVSS) then you may want to consider:

• Will your application be accepted as part of a fair process?