More misery for passengers as RMT strike again
RAIL passengers in the North East face more disruption as the latest strike dates in the bitter dispute over driver only operated trains have been announced.
The RMT rail union, which is in separate disputes with train operating companies across the UK over the issue, said the action will take place next month. Its members who work for Northern and Merseyrail will stage a 24-hour strike on November 8.
Those on Southern, Greater Anglia, South Western Railways and Island Line will take part in a 48-hour walk out on November 8 and 9.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Every single effort that RMT has made to reach negotiated settlements in these separate disputes with the different train operating companies over safe operation and safe staffing has been kicked back in our faces and we are left with no option but to confirm a further phase of industrial action in early November.
“It is frankly ludicrous that we have been able to negotiate long-term arrangements in Scotland and Wales that protect the guards and passenger safety but we are being denied the same opportunities with rail companies in England.
“RMT is in no doubt that it is the dead hand of the minority Tory government that is interfering in these disputes to block negotiated settlements. It is outrageous that Theresa May and Chris Grayling are happy to stand aside and cheer on overseas rail companies that rip-off the British passenger to subsidise their domestic transport operations while throwing the guards off our trains.”
Richard Allan, Northern’s deputy managing director, said: “We are prepared to guarantee jobs and pay for conductors for the next eight years if we can reach agreement on how our colleagues deliver better customer service using those fantastic new facilities.
“RMT is striking yet again at Northern and on several other train operators. We remain available for talks that are meaningful and clearly focused on how we deliver better customer service in the future.”