RMT union balloting members over rail strike in Midlands

BIRMINGHAM’S key Cross City rail line could be hit by a strike in a row over security contractors on trains.

Conductors employed by operator London Midland are being balloted on industrial action amid claims the move was imposed without prior agreement.

The RMT union is asking 523 of its members whether they want to strike or take other action over the decision. The ballot closes on February 2.

London Midland operates the West Midlands franchise which includes the Cross City Line. It said the contractors were introduced to boost the “safety and security” of staff and passengers.

But RMT said it feared the new recruits would heighten tensions and would have no more powers to remove unruly passengers than the company’s own staff.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “London Midland’s attempts to place external security contractors on board trains with an already safety-trained guard without agreement with RMT is totally unacceptable.

“Over a two-year period, RMT negotiators offered various counter proposals to the company which were dismissed out of hand every time or regretfully ignored.

“The imposition of external contractors who have no additional skills or powers of authority to remove unruly passengers or fare dodgers is something we are totally opposed to.

“Our members are fearful even minor issues will escalate out of control, particularly when these security contractors don’t have the appropri- ate training, skills or knowledge for working within a focused, customerservice environment like our members do.

“We have been left with no option but to ballot for industrial action to ensure that management finally sits up and take notice of our members’ concerns.

“The union remains available for meaningful and constructive talks.”

A statement from London Midland said: “We are very disappointed that the RMT is threatening to disrupt our passengers’ journeys.

“We have made it clear to the RMT from the very beginning this is about the safety and security of our colleagues and customers. We introduced additional security contractors based on feedback from front-line staff and passengers. The security contractors are in addition to the senior conductors and have different duties. This is about safety, as we have told the RMT many times. We have no intention of removing conductors from our trains.”