Union bullying continues, alleges South Western Railway guard
A guard on South Western Railway says he is taking ill health severance from the company, because of bullying by fellow RMT members who disapproved of him working on strike days.
The guard, who asked not be named, blames the union for bad behaviour, but also blames the company for not doing enough about it.
“Some of the guards - they are such bullies,” the guard told RAIL.
“It is unbelievable. It is so wrong. If you go against what the union wants, they tell everyone to stop speaking to you. No one will speak to you at all. I had a gate slammed in my face. Every little thing to get at you, they will use. They made it impossible to work. But the company is doing nothing about it.”
This is the first time the guard has spoken out, following six months on sick leave which he says is a consequence of the way he has been treated. Other guards have previously complained about bullying at the Bournemouth depot, and two RMT members based there were dismissed by SWR earlier this year.
“I’m taking ill health severance because I am not prepared to go back to work under those conditions,” said the guard.
“The company is doing nothing at all to sort out the bullying and harassment. It was a good job. I did loads of hours because I enjoyed doing it. It was well paid. I know people who don’t want to strike, who can’t afford to strike, but who dare not go against the wishes of the union. It’s like the 1970s, and they get away with it.”
A majority of RMT members remain in favour of continued strike action, stopping work for the 16th and 17th times in 11 months on October 5/6.
However, a smaller number of union members chose to work instead. SWR said that number is growing on each strike, although it could not state how many RMT members worked rostered shifts on recent strike days.
Another SWR guard at a different depot, who has also chosen to work on strike days, stated: “I haven’t noticed any unprofessional behaviour from colleagues, and I certainly would not say bullying is rife across the company.
“I have heard of colleagues whispering to each other mentioning the word ’scab’, but nothing directly to my face and I would not say I have been bullied. I support the aim of the strikes, but I am not able to afford the time off work.”
A spokesman for SWR responded: “We have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying, intimidation and harassment. While we recognise that industrial action can be very challenging for our staff, this does not excuse any disrespect to others.”
Mick Tosh, regional organiser for the RMT, said: “We know this to be a wholly fabricated allegation. The use of such a story brings into question the motivation of the individual providing it.”
RAIL has been shown extensive documentation relating to incidents in Bournemouth.
South Western Railway could not put a financial cost on the strikes, which affect tens of thousands of passengers each day.
During the latest industrial action, it ran two out of three services on the Friday, and around half of timetabled trains on the Saturday.