Rail passengers face yet more strike upheaval
NORTHERN RAIL STAFF TO WALK OUT OVER SAFETY AND ACCESS
RAIL users will face disruption when Northern Rail staff strike for two days.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has confirmed further strike action will go ahead on Arriva Rail North on Thursday and Saturday.
It is the latest in a string of walkouts over changes to the safety-critical guard role and the extension of driver only operation.
Northern Rail has said it will run as many services as possible during the strikes but warned passengers to leave more time for their journeys.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “It is a tribute to the determination and professionalism of RMT members on Arriva Rail North that they have remained rock solid for over a year now in what is a battle to put public safety before private profit.
“The next phase of action on Thursday and Saturday goes ahead exactly as planned as the company refuse point blank to engage in talks.”
Mr Cash said the German-owned company want to run half a million trains a year without a safety critical guard on board.
The move would wreck both safety and access to services, he said.
Mr Cash said: “We have seen again this week that Arriva are not capable of running a railway and have chosen to declare war on passengers and staff alike in the drive for increased profits while safety, access and reliability are left to rot. RMT has agreed arrangements in Wales and Scotland that enshrine the guard guarantee.
“If it’s good enough for Wales and Scotland to have safe rail services it should be good enough for the rest of Britain.
“We thank the public for their support and understanding throughout this dispute over rail safety and access and the union remains ready for talks.”
Northern Rail has said it will run as many services as possible each day during the strike action.
In a message on the company’s website, it states: “On Thursday, the majority of available trains will operate between 7am and 7pm as we focus on running as many trains as we can to get you into work and home again.
“On Saturday, most trains will run between 7am and 5pm as we work to get you to and from leisure destinations across the region.”
Passengers have been warned that trains and any replacement bus services will be extremely busy due to the number of trains being reduced.