Fresh wave of rail strikes in row over driver-only trains

WORKERS at three rail companies are to launch a new round of strikes in long-running disputes over staffing and driver-only trains.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at Southern Railway and Arriva Rail North will walk out on Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4.

Strikes will be held at Merseyrail on September 1, 3 and 4.

The union accused the companies and the Government of pressing ahead with controversial plans to extend the driver-only operation.

Alan Chaplin, of Arriva’s Northern railway, said: “There is no doubt that the trade union calling two days of strikes timed to coincide with people across the North returning to school, college and work after the holidays, will damage the region’s economy, significantly disrupt our customers’ lives and impact local businesses.

“Northern is prepared to guarantee jobs and current pay for all our conductors for the next eight years, until the end of our franchise. Our offers to discuss every detail on the future responsibilities and training for on-board colleagues have been rejected by RMT. Northern is modernising with new and updated trains, faster and more frequent services and better stations from now until 2020.

“We want to make changes to the onboard colleague role to make it fit for the future, better supporting customers on trains and at stations.”

Failure

Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, Merseyrail’s managing director, said: “The RMT say this dispute is about safety but a recent industry report states that there is no additional risk for passengers boarding and alighting driver-only trains.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The failure to get those talks moving following our face-to-face meeting with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has left us no option but to call further action.

“RMT has a clear plan for resolving this dispute but that requires roundtable talks now to push forwards.”