RMT urges “a new approach”

Top of the new Secretary of State’s agenda will be the impact of co-ordinated industrial action on the railway by all its main unions.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch wrote to the new Transport Secretary on her first morning in the job, urging her to take “a new approach” to the rail dispute.

He said that Trevelyan held talks with LNER in November 2021, when she suggested reversing a proposal to reduce opening hours at her local station.

“We are encouraged that you are on the record as wanting to save rail ticket offices, staffing and services in your own constituency, and I would urge you to continue this approach as Secretary of State.” Lynch wrote.

“There is clearly now the opportunity for a new approach from the Government to facilitate discussions between the RMT and the employers, where the train companies and Network Rail are given more flexibility to secure a deal that is in the interests of workers, passengers and the country as a whole.”

TSSA union leader Manuel Cortes urged the new Prime Minister to provide help to deal with the cost of living crisis.

He warned: “Truss has offered nothing to date, which suggests she, or her party, have a clue about how to deal with soaring energy prices, inflation and much more, including giving our members a pay rise which stops them becoming poorer.”