We always knew that devolving disciplinary authority down to "shop floor" level would cause difficulties, and we're taking no pleasure in being proved right. Forcing former supervisors (now "CSMs") to discipline their immediate operational colleagues has led to all sorts of problems on stations, to which Area Managers, in their wisdom, have added a further complication: it now seems they're leaning on CSMs to issue 26-week warnings as standard.
LU can't have it both ways. If they want CSMs to carry out LDIs, then CSMs must have full discretion and control over the outcome, and be able to come to their decision without pressure from the AM. Otherwise, we'd be only too happy to revert to the old system whereby operational staff weren't forced to discipline their colleagues.
Tubeworker HQ has heard reports of CSMs who exercised their discretion to issue reduced warnings, or who refused to issue warnings at all, receiving the hairdryer treatment from AMs. This is unacceptable, and must stop. If it doesn't, CSMs should consider whether it's really acceptable for LU to force us to police each other.
