There’s been a sense of change in the air ever since Rishi Sunak called a General Election for 4 July. It would be wrong to presume the outcome but there’s a definite sense that the balance of power in the House of Commons is set to change. That said, politics is as much of an art as a science, and election shocks are part and parcel of the process.Whatever the result, we can only hope that it brings a season of positive change for the industry.
As the Government appears to steam towards election defeat, near misses, derailments, and collisions dominate Colin Wheeler’s regular safety digest. However, he looks to the post-election future with a sense of optimism that a reorganised, well-motivated railway, is in reach. Let’s hope that can be achieved no matter who’s in Number 10.
In this edition’s features, we take a swing to the left as we sit down with Steve Mole of CPC to discuss his decision to transition the business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The model is designed to encourage broader employee ownership and participation, deliver tax benefits and ensure continuity for the business.
Having touched on employee issues, we honour the work of our brothers and sisters on the network’s train presentation crews, who toil away, often out of sight, to make our trains a pleasant space to while away the time. Surely, it’s about time they got the recognition they deserve? Workers of the world, unite!
Staying in a progressive frame of mind, the focus of this issue is – Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and there’s something of a bias towards women, for a change. We begin by welcoming Ruth Busby OBE who chats to us about her varied career, her route into rail, and the passion for EDI which earned her a nod in the New Year’s Honours List.
Next, we meet new columnist Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain, who explores the disparity in pay between male and female colleagues and asks how the industry can close the gap. Women in Rail’s Marie Daley then joins us to discuss how the industry can make itself more attractive to the younger generation and open the doors to upward progression.
Women’s health issues are a largely undiscussed fact of life, and sweeping these issues under the carpet holds them back in the workplace. We shine a spotlight on one condition which affects more people than you might think. Finally, we celebrate Pride Month with a look at how the UK’s train operating companies (TOCs) are showing support for their LGBT+ colleagues and customers.
We close with an update from Bonnie Price, CEO of Young Rail Professionals who brings us back to the issue of EDI and invites us to broaden our horizons with a spot of global travel.
Once the election is over, a holiday might be what we all need, whichever side of the political spectrum we stand on.
Image credit: iStockphoto.com
