London Midland - Revenue & Protection Security Managers

[craigybagel]

The barriers have to be manned for that!!! I've lost count of the amount of times I've had email telling me that the barriers at one or most of those stations are open. We also have a lot of stations that have barriers but aren't manned, as well as some that don't have barriers at all. Bletchley and Hemel fall into the former, with Wolverton and Leighton Buzzard falling into the latter category along with plenty of others.

Fair enough. I'm sorry if I came across as criticising the southern guards, I think you deserve every penny you get! It just seems to be the same issues apply equally in the north so it doesn't seem fair to me that they should see their percentage reduced over it.

The change in sd0733's and others commission was, AIUI, voted on by the ex-Central Guards as part of a pay deal offered to them. It was also voted on by the ex-Silverlink Guards, who voted against it. So much for 'Harmonisation'.

To be honest when I first read about it I'd assumed it was something along those lines.

 

[plastictaffy]

I didn't see it as criticism at all. Unlike a lot of people that do criticise us, you actually do the job and know what you're talking about!!

 

[felix]

I suspect Felix your position with your colleagues is much down to London Midland's treatment of the former revenue protection teams. Getting rid of people's jobs and replacing them with so called 'managers' that don't actually do anything in the way of managing but have the benefit to the company of being at the beck and call of the company without overtime etc is rarely popular!

It's not fair that it's taken out on the people who take on the jobs but it is what it is.

For what it's worth it's been seen elsewhere to an extent in ex Central land - EMT have increased the numbers of ex MML style 'revenue protection officers', particularly part time ones, while choosing to displace and not fill vacancies for the vast majority of the ex Central 'assistant ticket examiners' except some remaining part timers which you could count on the fingers of one hand which has resulted in some hostility to RPOs from the ex Central train crew having seen their friends who they worked with for years pushed out of.

You don't have to manage people to be a manager! I for one have several different elements of revenue protection/collection/security that I have to manage, it seems that people looking from the outside do not actually realise what a positive impact revenue protection actually have. Yes many people lost their jobs but were given the opportunity to apply for the new roles, several of the current team are old revenue officers. But the company chose to make many people redundant which I do not agree with.

 

[the sniper]

It's not fair that it's taken out on the people who take on the jobs but it is what it is.

I honestly don't know anyone who has anything against you RPMs personally... People have numerous issues, but they're not the fault of the RPMs.

You don't have to manage people to be a manager! I for one have several different elements of revenue protection/collection/security that I have to manage

I'm afraid I can't agree with your interpretation of a manager though. LM didn't put you good folks on management T&Cs and pay grade because they think you 'manage' to do numerous non-management tasks. By your definition most people on the railway qualify as a manager.

 

[Apples&Pears]

Just been advertised again on London Midland website in case anyone is interested.

 

[atochopefull]

I see this has been re advertised. Anyone recommend the job?

 

[JohnFM]

I see this has been re advertised. Anyone recommend the job?

It suits some people, doesn't suit others!

One post at Birmingham, t'other at Milton Keynes.

For anyone who needs the link: https://www.londonmidlandcareers.com/Applicants/vacancy

 

[NX]

As a former Silverlink Guard, there was (maybe still is?) bitterness that back in 2005 "we" lost the work to New St from Northampton officially, the route was cut at Northampton with Central Trains (as was) operating the service North, with Silverlink south.

However as the majority of Central crew didn't sign south of Coventry for some time, we worked all the trains north.

This arrangement continued, with Central taking over services to the point that it wasn't pretty much 50/50 crewing wise by the time we joined the happy London midland family in late 2007.

Central crew were on a higher salary than us Silverlink crew until the famed harmonisation deal in 2011 I think it was.

In the end the union agreed that Silverlink crew working a Central diagram would get an allowance (the pay difference).

Once London midland had been formed or Central Trains MK2 as it was known down south, we were treated like 2nd Class employees.

Of course we had the southern style "crew sickness" lies in the Xmas/new year of 2009/10 which seems to have continued every since.

 

[adam31288]

hi everyone just come across this site / post. I have been successful in applying for this role start early jan! I applied before the job was put back on incase anyone wondering on time scales to find out, got my contract today. looking forward to it, every job has pros and cons and there is usually friction between certain departments in my experience, which is police work incase anyone was wondering! Looking forward to getting started, quick question does anyone know if you work bank holidays or get them off?

 

[plastictaffy]

It's actually a higher basic wage than Guards/SC/Cons - however I assume it's an MS grade position, so little or no overtime.

It is indeed an MS position, with time expected to be spent on call at times, too. The flat is around 30k. Bear in mind that a Guard's flat salary is only a couple of hundred less, with more potential for overtime too. I am by no means a restday monster, but I can clear 35-37k a year with my booked sundays and two restdays a month. LM guards do indeed get commission, it varies by depot. At my depot, we get 5% to the first 200 quid a week, and 10% after that. I know guys that are pulling 500 a month in commission. If I can cover my wife's car for the month, I'm happy. In my opinion, the JD for the RPSM role is a lot for the money and abuse from punters you'll get.
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hi everyone just come across this site / post. I have been successful in applying for this role start early jan! I applied before the job was put back on incase anyone wondering on time scales to find out, got my contract today. looking forward to it, every job has pros and cons and there is usually friction between certain departments in my experience, which is police work incase anyone was wondering! Looking forward to getting started, quick question does anyone know if you work bank holidays or get them off?

Congratulations on your new job. Bank holidays vary from department to department. In my particular role, if I'm booked to work, I work. Drivers however get what is known as a 'compensation' or 'comp' day whenever they work one. It depends solely on your t's and c's.

 

[atochopefull]

hi everyone just come across this site / post. I have been successful in applying for this role start early jan! I applied before the job was put back on incase anyone wondering on time scales to find out, got my contract today. looking forward to it, every job has pros and cons and there is usually friction between certain departments in my experience, which is police work incase anyone was wondering! Looking forward to getting started, quick question does anyone know if you work bank holidays or get them off?

Hi Adam. Congratulations! If you don't mind me asking, when did you apply for the role and how long did the recruitment process take and what was involved? Where will you be based? What was your job prior to this in the police? I've recently applied and am waiting to hear back.

 

[Griff]

hi everyone just come across this site / post. I have been successful in applying for this role start early jan! I applied before the job was put back on incase anyone wondering on time scales to find out, got my contract today. looking forward to it, every job has pros and cons and there is usually friction between certain departments in my experience, which is police work incase anyone was wondering! Looking forward to getting started, quick question does anyone know if you work bank holidays or get them off?

Congratulations on getting the job!

 

[adam31288]

Hi Adam. Congratulations! If you don't mind me asking, when did you apply for the role and how long did the recruitment process take and what was involved? Where will you be based? What was your job prior to this in the police? I've recently applied and am waiting to hear back.

I applied back sometime in October, so took a couple of months from application to being told if successful. I think the longest wait was between applying and finding out if you get an interview. Cant really criticise any of the process so far has been smooth. After application is the usual interview and then checks etc. Based in Birmingham! I have done 7 years in the control room, this year at BTP and the 6 years prior in the Met, i also was a PCSO for a year before this in West Mids, was also a special back in the Met.

Good luck! and thanks for the congrats!

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[atochopefull]

I applied back sometime in October, so took a couple of months from application to being told if successful. I think the longest wait was between applying and finding out if you get an interview. Cant really criticise any of the process so far has been smooth. After application is the usual interview and then checks etc. Based in Birmingham! I have done 7 years in the control room, this year at BTP and the 6 years prior in the Met, i also was a PCSO for a year before this in West Mids, was also a special back in the Met.

Good luck! and thanks for the congrats!

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Thanks for the info! Was it a simple interview or group exercises and any online or computer tests? Cheers.