News

DIRECTOR’S ASSURANCE OVER FUND MANAGEMENT

Submitted 5 weeks 5 days ago

The actions of a bus driver in Blackpool have caused concern within TBF.

The bus driver who was also a trade union official admitted to seven counts of theft from the Unite the Union benevolent fund between January 2004 and October 2011, totalling almost £17,000. He no longer works for Blackpool Transport.

While the thefts had no connection at all with the TBF Chris Godbold, Director of the Transport Benevolent Fund, said that this was a sickening case, “the Blackpool fund had been built up by workers who had paid in 20p a week to help colleagues facing financial hardship but any similarity with TBF ended there.”

He went on to assure new and existing members alike that this activity would be well nigh impossible at TBF. He confirmed: “The TBF is professionally managed with a team of trustees who set policies to administer handling of cash.” Any member with questions about financial control within TBF is welcome to email the Director by clicking here.

HELLO TO NEW MEMBERS

Submitted 5 weeks 5 days ago

Nearly 7000 new members were recruited to TBF during 2011.

Chris Godbold, Director of the Fund, said he was pleased that in spite of the country’s economic problems, some 133 people had decided every week to join the TBF. He continued: “The exact number of new recruits was 6896 and it is a tribute to our small band of recruiters that such a good return has been achieved.” Chris confirmed that the task of recruiting new members was not an easy one. Access to staff is not always granted and there is still some unwillingness by trades unions in a very few areas to work together.

He was confident that the high level of recruitment would continue through 2012, however, and that placing a new recruiter in Scotland would help increase membership there.

Membership of the TBF remains at £1 a week for which a wide range of benefits is available. To learn more about the benefits of joining TBF, click here

GOODBYE AND HELLO!

Submitted 9 weeks 7 hours ago

We say goodbye to two valued Patrons – Gerry Doherty (recently General Secretary of TSSA) and Keith Norman (who held the same position in ASLEF). We are delighted to welcome as new patrons the new General Secretaries: Mick Whelan (ASLEF) and Manuel Cortes (TSSA).

We thank both for agreeing to support TBF.

TRUSTEE SCOOPS TOP AWARD

Submitted 9 weeks 7 hours ago

Our youngest trustee, Ben Wakerley, was named Young Bus Manager of the Year at the recent UK Bus Awards at London’s Hilton Hotel. At age 28, Ben was the youngest of First's Depot General Managers, with responsibility for 400 staff and 110 vehicles at Willesden Junction depot. In this post he succeeded in motivating his team, turning it from a mid-table to a Champions League contender.

The judges were very impressed by Ben's achievements, by his commitment to the industry and to the people with whom he works. Ben firmly believes in enhancing and developing the working environment. He is passionate about the industry, its staff and above all its customers.

The Award, sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics, focuses specially on the talent we will all rely on to deliver our bus services for the next 20 years and more – the young managers, currently delivering and planning services at the sharp end but whose skills will be vitally important over the coming years as the bus increasingly comes to be seen as an aid to reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change.

Well done, Ben!

EAST COAST EMPLOYEE TAKES TOP AWARD

Submitted 13 weeks 13 hours ago

TBF has sponsored Britain’s top station employee award at this year’s Rail Network national staff awards held in Birmingham recently. East Coast customer service assistant Richard Millbank was named as Britain’s top station employee after he tried to save the life of a seriously ill passenger.

Richard received a call for a qualified First Aider while on duty as information co-ordinator at York station on Sunday, 12 June 2011. An elderly man had collapsed following a heart attack in the station subway. Having comforted his family who were naturally frightened and concerned for his welfare, Richard attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used one of the defibrillators kept on the station to try to restart the man’s heart following his cardiac arrest. Richard’s efforts were sadly in vain, however, as the man did not survive. His family returned to York station a few weeks later to thank Richard personally for his efforts to save him.

East Coast’s Station Manager at York, Phil Crow, said: “The judges were clearly impressed by Richard’s calm and comforting approach to a very difficult situation. Richard is a caring and very helpful team member at York station and we’re delighted that his dedication in helping passengers every day has been deservedly recognised at national level.” Richard was presented with a glass trophy and £1,000 cash at the fifth national Railstaff Awards. These are held each year to recognise rail workers who go the extra mile to help passengers.

Presenting the award, John Sheehy, manager for TBF, said it was an honour to present our first national rail staff award to such a dedicated, determined and professional member of railway staff. Our picture shows Richard Millbank (left) receiving his award from John Sheehy of the Transport Benevolent Fund, who sponsored the award, with Colin Flack, Chief Executive of Rail Alliance the awards presenter.

Photo: Jonathan Webb. Story and picture from Rail.co global rail news