Agreement over Merseyrail guards

RMT union members have voted to accept proposals made by Merseyrail on the role and responsibilities of guards operating its new fleet of Class 777 electric multiple units.

Of the 181 votes cast in the ballot (a turnout of 84%) on July 1, 114 (63%) were in favour while 67 were against.

It follows an earlier vote on May 13, in which an agreement in principle between the operator and union to introduce a new grade of Train Manager, classed as a safetycritical role and involved in the dispatch of trains, was rejected by a margin of 99 votes (54.4%) to 83.