Stalemate in the North as RMT plans more action

RMT union members on Northern and Merseyrail will not work on March 3, in the latest day of industrial action.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Every single effort that RMT has made to reach negotiated settlements in these separate disputes with Northern and Merseyrail over safe operation and safe staffing has been kicked back in our faces. No one should be in any doubt - these disputes are about putting the safety of the travelling public before the profits of the private train companies.

“Theresa May and Chris Grayling are happy to stand aside and cheer on overseas rail companies that rip off the British passenger with eye-watering fare increases to subsidise their domestic transport operations, while throwing the guards off our trains. If it’s good enough for Wales and Scotland to put safety first, then it’s good enough for the rest of the UK.”

Richard Allan, Northern’s Deputy Managing Director, said: “We are still prepared to guarantee jobs and hold pay reviews for our 1,300 conductors until the end of our franchise in 2025, with the Government guaranteeing jobs beyond that, if the RMT ends its strike action. RMT has recently rejected our request to hold a fresh ballot of Northern conductors after nearly a year of strike action.”

Merseyrail Managing Director Andy Heath said: “Yet again the RMT has announced a further strike, remaining entrenched in a position which is to oppose any form of change with no desire to meet with us and reach an agreement. Talking is the only way that can be achieved.”

Jac Starr, Rail Delivery Group’s Managing Director of Customer Experience, said: “No one wins when industrial action disrupts the lives of people across the north of England - not least people trying to see friends and family, get to work or run their local business. That’s why we want to find a way through this dispute, so that we can get on with the business of delivering for our customers and supporting Britain’s economy.”