Summer of rail chaos after union calls for new strikes
Network braced for walk-outs through July in driver-only dispute
THOUSANDS of passengers are facing travel chaos after union bosses launched more summer railway strikes. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) last night announced it is now planning two 48-hour walkouts in a dispute over driver-only trains. Strikes were already planned in the long-running dispute but extra dates have now been added.
Union members will hold 24hour strikes this Sunday and on Thursday July 14. A 48-hour strike will be held over Sunday July 10 and Monday July 11, followed by a weekend strike on July 16 and 17. Industrial action has already been held in the past few weeks and conciliation service Acas has been brought in to resolve the dispute.
However, it does not look as though a resolution will be reached, with talks deadlocked.
Earlier this month the RMT disclosed that a majority of its members had voted for strike action in a ballot on a 75 per cent turnout. The dispute between union members and ScotRail bosses is over the proposed introduction of driver-only-operation (DOO) trains.
This would mean drivers would be asked to close the doors at the stations, instead of an on-board conductor.
Drivers have CCTV in the cabs to check people are clear of the doors, but unions have said this is not safe and passengers will get hurt. There are also fears that less staffing on trains could put people at risk.
The union claims it is defending its policy of no extension of driver-only trains, and for guards to be in control of operating doors.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘Despite a series of rock-solid strikes it is extraordinary that Abellio/ScotRail continue to ignore the strength of feeling amongst their staff over the extension of DOO.
‘That disgraceful and cavalier approach to jobs and safety on Scotland’s railways now leaves us with no choice but to move to a new phase of industrial action. Our members on ScotRail stand determined and united in this fight for jobs and safety on Scotland’s rail services.’
He described the extension of DOO as a ‘clear attack’ on his members’ terms and conditions and said staff should not be forced to see their responsibilities ‘reduced and undermined’.
Mr Cash added: ‘The workforce also know only too well that there is a very real threat to passengers of watering down and wiping out the safety critical role of the guard on these ScotRail services. That is a lethal gamble with basic rail safety.’
ScotRail has said it believes the argument is simply over who gets to close the train doors.
The company’s managing director, Phil Verster, previously offered to hold fresh talks with union leaders but his offer was dismissed by the RMT as a ‘stunt’ and ‘class divide and rule’.
He also claimed that 59 per cent of ScotRail customers currently travel on a train where the doors are safely operated by a driver, and guaranteed that all conductors would keep their jobs, pay and conditions.
Last night, Mr Verster said: ‘The RMT have announced another round of needless, damaging strikes on the evening before we are due to come together for talks.
‘This clearly marks the difference between our two approaches. We want to talk, they want to strike.
‘The people who lose out are our customers, who will face more disruption, and our own people, who will be hit hard in the pocket.
‘It is important to remember that this is a strike about who opens and closes doors on our trains.’
He denied that anyone would lose their jobs or that driver-only trains would affect customer safety.
Mr Verster added: ‘We are not removing people from trains, we are talking about what they do so that they always provide the very best service to our customers.
‘We will continue to arrange talks – just as we have done for tomorrow.
‘However, we will never find a solution if the RMT continues in this manner. These strikes are hurting our customers and our people. It is time to end the strikes and start meaningful discussions.’
‘People will be hit hard in pocket’