EVENTS OF 2004
In February 2004, First Group, TransPennine Express took over the franchise, from the very beginning there was hostility, childish behaviour and the usual IGNORANCE towards me with no response to reports that I submitted.
In February 2004, First Group, TransPennine Express took over the franchise, from the very beginning there was hostility, childish behaviour and the usual IGNORANCE towards me with no response to reports that I submitted.
_The
following that occurred throughout 2004 set the trend for each year
after, except, each year the ignorance got gradually worse. The following is in chronological order for the year 2004.
On March 9th 2004, Manager John Moans has an informal chat with me regarding my wording of driver reports, the informal chat however was recorded on my personal file, (127). The report highlights 3 issues,
Letter dated 9th March 2004
On March 9th 2004, Manager John Moans has an informal chat with me regarding my wording of driver reports, the informal chat however was recorded on my personal file, (127). The report highlights 3 issues,
Letter dated 9th March 2004
_ 3 ISSUES RAISED
a. Reports with disparaging or insulting comments on them (para 2), which I totally deny.
b. The offer to give me an insight (para 3) into how TPE (Transpennine Express) departments work together. Manager John Moans, clearly stated (para 3), (b) that arrangements had been made for me to work with the fleet department and operations control for one week in an effort to gain an understanding of how they work in conjunction with the driving grade. This letter was not given to me; I only became aware that it existed when it appeared in TPE draft bundle of documents.
c. The clear understanding to the manager that frustration was at the root of my reports (para 4).
EMAILS DATED 20th & 21st April 2004
a. Reports with disparaging or insulting comments on them (para 2), which I totally deny.
b. The offer to give me an insight (para 3) into how TPE (Transpennine Express) departments work together. Manager John Moans, clearly stated (para 3), (b) that arrangements had been made for me to work with the fleet department and operations control for one week in an effort to gain an understanding of how they work in conjunction with the driving grade. This letter was not given to me; I only became aware that it existed when it appeared in TPE draft bundle of documents.
c. The clear understanding to the manager that frustration was at the root of my reports (para 4).
EMAILS DATED 20th & 21st April 2004
_ More than a month later an
email, by the same Manager John Moans, (128) dated
20th April 2004 (para 2), is a
request asking for help in organising my working with the fleet department and operations control, this was agreed by
Technical Engineering Manager Steven Bridge.
This therefore proves that arrangements that were advised to me on the 9th March 2004 were never in place.
LETTER DATED MAY 2004
This therefore proves that arrangements that were advised to me on the 9th March 2004 were never in place.
LETTER DATED MAY 2004
_
The letter above (129a) dated only as May 2004 written by Manager Chris
Swift, refers to a repair slip and was obviously unhappy at comments made on
it, the slip which is of extreme relevance was not supplied. There are issues
within this letter that I totally disagree with. Chris Swift does however make
this point. “He feels that he is just not
getting anywhere with his reports and when nothing is ever done he gets
extremely frustrated”.
This letter was not given to myself, I only became aware that it existed when it appeared in TPE draft bundle of documents.
CHARGE SHEETS DATED 9th JUNE 2004
This letter was not given to myself, I only became aware that it existed when it appeared in TPE draft bundle of documents.
CHARGE SHEETS DATED 9th JUNE 2004
_
On the 9th
June, I was charged with making unsuitable and derogatory remarks on a vehicle
repair slip (130 & 131), again the slip is
not provided, the remarks would have been hard hitting and highlighting serious
safety risks but definitely not derogatory.
DRIVERS REPORT DATED 10th JUNE 2004
DRIVERS REPORT DATED 10th JUNE 2004
_
During this year (2004) there was a
problem with cab heater boxes underneath the driver`s seat giving off heat even
though the heater was switched off. On the 10th June 2004, (132), I wrote a drivers report at 12.45hrs that day
complaining about extreme heat in the driving cab and the fact that I had
reported this previously, even suggesting a solution which was in a previous
report dated 2 days earlier, all to no avail.
ANOTHER REPORT ON THE 10th JUNE 2004
ANOTHER REPORT ON THE 10th JUNE 2004
_ Later on that day in a different train exactly
the same problem occurred. As the report suggests, (133),
I had finally come to the end of my tether, I stated, “I have now reached boiling point, my anger and stress levels cannot
cope with this anymore, I haven`t had any replies to recent reports”.
FOLLOWING DAY, ANOTHER REPORT DATED 11th JUNE 2004
FOLLOWING DAY, ANOTHER REPORT DATED 11th JUNE 2004
_The following day, I had
obviously calmed down, so the build up begins again (134)
reports the same problem. The sarcasm is down to constant IGNORANCE, I defy anyone not to react the same way.
LETTER DATED 15th JUNE 2004
LETTER DATED 15th JUNE 2004
_ On the 15th June, this is remember 5 days after
those reports were submitted, Manager David Pierce met me and said I was to be
taken off driving and sent for a medical to determine my mental state. (135), My mental state was of such 5 days earlier!
Mr Pierce wrote in his letter which I had never seen previously, that “I responded with, things just got me so angry that I was putting in reports and that nothing was being done about it”. Remember this was back in 2004, it was exactly the same in 2009.
LETTER SENT TO BUPA DOCTOR 15th JUNE 2004
Mr Pierce wrote in his letter which I had never seen previously, that “I responded with, things just got me so angry that I was putting in reports and that nothing was being done about it”. Remember this was back in 2004, it was exactly the same in 2009.
LETTER SENT TO BUPA DOCTOR 15th JUNE 2004
The following is a letter from Manager John Moans to the BUPA Doctor dated 15th June 2004.(136 & 136a) He states that my file is extensive and catalogues a massive number of issues, he claims that these reports contain associated derogatory remarks, which I totally deny.
He then states that when TPE took over I was briefed on First Groups commitment to improving information flow to staff and to develop a culture of staff involvement. If that was the case, then we would not have been in a tribunal situation.
What is said next makes a complete mockery of what was just said,
“Driver Webb was to attend a 5 day job mirroring exercise with Transpennine Control and fleet engineers next week, this has now been cancelled”!
What needs pointing out here is, I never knew or was informed about this, I only found this out when I requested my medical file from BUPA. It strikes me as being really childish, my arguments have always been about IGNORANCE, when I am offered some involvement it is taken away because I have reacted and complained about TPE Managements continual IGNORANCE.
It then continues to point out that the reports I submit are abusive, again, which I totally deny. He then states that, “Webb`s actions are the actions of a member of staff that has taken everything out of perspective”.
Simply because I had a passion for health and safety, challenging conditions I felt were dangerous, I supposedly have taken everything out of perspective.
He then states that when TPE took over I was briefed on First Groups commitment to improving information flow to staff and to develop a culture of staff involvement. If that was the case, then we would not have been in a tribunal situation.
What is said next makes a complete mockery of what was just said,
“Driver Webb was to attend a 5 day job mirroring exercise with Transpennine Control and fleet engineers next week, this has now been cancelled”!
What needs pointing out here is, I never knew or was informed about this, I only found this out when I requested my medical file from BUPA. It strikes me as being really childish, my arguments have always been about IGNORANCE, when I am offered some involvement it is taken away because I have reacted and complained about TPE Managements continual IGNORANCE.
It then continues to point out that the reports I submit are abusive, again, which I totally deny. He then states that, “Webb`s actions are the actions of a member of staff that has taken everything out of perspective”.
Simply because I had a passion for health and safety, challenging conditions I felt were dangerous, I supposedly have taken everything out of perspective.
_ Manager Moans then makes six points he asks the Doctor for guidance upon, in the third point, he states, “Is this driver becoming paranoid. I have assured him that the company is doing everything possible to meet his demands”.
I have never made any demands, all I ever asked for was involvement and answers to my reports. Then look what he does, takes away his offer of involvement!
In point 4, he makes it look like every report I submit is a deliberate transgression, my reports were hard hitting and very much to the point.
In the 6th point, I was never offered counseling or refused any help. None of Manager Moans concerns were talked about with me, I also like all previous correspondence have never seen this letter until I received from BUPA on request of my file.
DOCTOR PEARLMAN`S NOTES 17th June 2004
I have never made any demands, all I ever asked for was involvement and answers to my reports. Then look what he does, takes away his offer of involvement!
In point 4, he makes it look like every report I submit is a deliberate transgression, my reports were hard hitting and very much to the point.
In the 6th point, I was never offered counseling or refused any help. None of Manager Moans concerns were talked about with me, I also like all previous correspondence have never seen this letter until I received from BUPA on request of my file.
DOCTOR PEARLMAN`S NOTES 17th June 2004
_
On the 17th
June 2004, I had an appointment with Doctor J Pearlman, the following are what
she ascertained in our conversation, (137).
a. Health & Safety Rep for 5 years, feels confident.
b. Reports put in about issues, but comments nothing ever done.
c. Still persistently ignored.
d. States no change.
e. Angry & frustrated in work issues.
f. Specifically perceives his line management do not talk to him and
explain why his queries are dealt with.
g. Presented to me 13 vehicle repair sheets, Arriva, states all these
Transpennine. (Arriva mentioned because the repair book was written
by Arriva.)
h. His problem is, H&S Rep is voice of people.
i. His perception, problem is being ignored.
a. Health & Safety Rep for 5 years, feels confident.
b. Reports put in about issues, but comments nothing ever done.
c. Still persistently ignored.
d. States no change.
e. Angry & frustrated in work issues.
f. Specifically perceives his line management do not talk to him and
explain why his queries are dealt with.
g. Presented to me 13 vehicle repair sheets, Arriva, states all these
Transpennine. (Arriva mentioned because the repair book was written
by Arriva.)
h. His problem is, H&S Rep is voice of people.
i. His perception, problem is being ignored.
_ j. (138) Perry presented calm and rational and feels frustrated as
Health & Safety Rep. Unable to support his colleagues on numerous issues,
re health and safety issues he brings to your attention.
There are no medical reasons to prevent him driving. I would suggest that a case conference be had to review the management issues he is focusing on.
No disrespect, but this was all I ever wanted, someone to talk the issues over with. Yet not one so called manager had the decency to do this.
DOCTOR PEARLMAN`S RESPONSE TO MANAGER JOHN MOANS
There are no medical reasons to prevent him driving. I would suggest that a case conference be had to review the management issues he is focusing on.
No disrespect, but this was all I ever wanted, someone to talk the issues over with. Yet not one so called manager had the decency to do this.
DOCTOR PEARLMAN`S RESPONSE TO MANAGER JOHN MOANS
_
Dr Pearlmans reply to manager John Moans, (139). Are four paragraphs that sum up the problem
adequately.
(para 1) States my case, “Perry states very clearly that he is frustrated as he is unable to support his colleagues with the numerous issues regarding health and safety that are brought to his attention. He perceives that he is ignored by management”.
(para 2) “I would suggest that a way forward with this situation would be a case conference with him to review the management issues that he is focusing on”.
(para 3) “I do feel that counseling would help but, much more specifically, with regard to dealing with the frustrations that he clearly perceives within his job”.
(para 4)“All that I can advise is that an individual risk assessment be undertaken by the driver team manager and liaison be had with him regarding his other concerns of management issues”.
REASONS WHY I WAS SENT TO DOCTOR PEARLMAN AND WHAT TPE DID ABOUT THIS BELOW
(para 1) States my case, “Perry states very clearly that he is frustrated as he is unable to support his colleagues with the numerous issues regarding health and safety that are brought to his attention. He perceives that he is ignored by management”.
(para 2) “I would suggest that a way forward with this situation would be a case conference with him to review the management issues that he is focusing on”.
(para 3) “I do feel that counseling would help but, much more specifically, with regard to dealing with the frustrations that he clearly perceives within his job”.
(para 4)“All that I can advise is that an individual risk assessment be undertaken by the driver team manager and liaison be had with him regarding his other concerns of management issues”.
REASONS WHY I WAS SENT TO DOCTOR PEARLMAN AND WHAT TPE DID ABOUT THIS BELOW
I was sent to this doctor
because TPE perceived my actions that of someone who was not mentally stable,
they wanted to know(140) why I was supposedly
deliberately transgressing and continuing to submit these reports.
Doctor Pearlman gave her opinion, basically my prescription. So why was not one of her recommendations adhered to?
I am quite sure if the doctor had said this man has worrying signs and I feel he is no longer suitable to drive a train, I would have been taken out of the driving grade.
TPE IGNORED Doctor Pearlman`s diagnosis and remedy. Taking this into account, I think that nearly 5 years further on with unbelievable ignorance displayed towards me, I did extremely well to try and keep myself calm and sane.
When reading this, did you honestly expect anything different?
TPE`S DESCRIPTION OF BULLYING
Doctor Pearlman gave her opinion, basically my prescription. So why was not one of her recommendations adhered to?
I am quite sure if the doctor had said this man has worrying signs and I feel he is no longer suitable to drive a train, I would have been taken out of the driving grade.
TPE IGNORED Doctor Pearlman`s diagnosis and remedy. Taking this into account, I think that nearly 5 years further on with unbelievable ignorance displayed towards me, I did extremely well to try and keep myself calm and sane.
When reading this, did you honestly expect anything different?
TPE`S DESCRIPTION OF BULLYING
_
TPE IGNORANCE was nothing more than bullying and harassment,
it is clearly defined in their bullying and harassment procedures, TPE define
it as (141) , “Bullying
may be characterised as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting
behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine,
humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying or harassment may be by
an individual against an individual (perhaps by someone in a position of
authority such as a manager or supervisor) or involve groups of people. It may
be obvious or it may be insidious. Whatever form it takes, it is unwarranted
and unwelcome to the individual”.
On reading that passage, I found their ignorance to be offensive, I deserved some respect. It was clearly intimidating, the fact that they were aware the longer they ignored me the more I would retaliate.
To subject any individual to this level of ignorance had to be borne out of ill will, this was malicious. Their ignorance was also a powerful weapon which undermined my efforts which in turn was a control measure to the rest of staff to say, look, if he cannot get anywhere then you have no hope.
This is where the humiliation comes in, the humiliation at continuing to try and improve everyone`s working environment and make safety the number one priority (supposedly a First Group value) yet openly be ignored and get absolutely nowhere.
IRONICALLY, right at the bottom of this page is part of an investigation into a grievance by a York Driver against Manager Andrew Steele, the passage reads,"Driver Manager Andrew Steele`s comments, "I`m not very impressed with you", was ill advised, but borne from frustration and not malice".
This is what happens when a Manager of TPE investigates another Manager, yet my "frustration" was classed as malicious!
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2.
On reading that passage, I found their ignorance to be offensive, I deserved some respect. It was clearly intimidating, the fact that they were aware the longer they ignored me the more I would retaliate.
To subject any individual to this level of ignorance had to be borne out of ill will, this was malicious. Their ignorance was also a powerful weapon which undermined my efforts which in turn was a control measure to the rest of staff to say, look, if he cannot get anywhere then you have no hope.
This is where the humiliation comes in, the humiliation at continuing to try and improve everyone`s working environment and make safety the number one priority (supposedly a First Group value) yet openly be ignored and get absolutely nowhere.
IRONICALLY, right at the bottom of this page is part of an investigation into a grievance by a York Driver against Manager Andrew Steele, the passage reads,"Driver Manager Andrew Steele`s comments, "I`m not very impressed with you", was ill advised, but borne from frustration and not malice".
This is what happens when a Manager of TPE investigates another Manager, yet my "frustration" was classed as malicious!
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2.