Passengers being used as guinea pigs in rail disputes, claims union
RAIL PASSENGERS suffering disruption because of industrial action are being used as “guinea pigs” by the Government which is behind moves for driver-only trains, a union leader has claimed.
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, accused ministers of directing disputes such as the long-running row on Southern Railway.
RMT members on Southern, Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North which includes Yorkshire will launch a fresh wave of strikes in the coming weeks over staffing and driver-controlled trains.
Mr Cash, speaking at the RMT’s annual conference in Exeter, said union members on Southern remained solidly behind the dispute after taking more than 30 days of strike action over the past year.
“The dispute has continued to the surprise of the Government and the company.
“They thought they would smash us and there would be no support for our campaign but that is not the case.
“Our members fundamentally believe in a safe, secure railway, while passengers are being used as guinea pigs by the Government.”
Mr Cash pointed out the union has reached deals with a number of train operators over retaining guards on trains, but issues remained with others, including the new operators of the South West Trains franchise.
The union is seeking a guarantee by July 3 that the consortium of the First Group and MTR will retain guards when they take over the franchise in August. Members of the drivers’ union Aslef on Southern will start an overtime ban on Thursday over the driver-controlled dispute.