RMT demands new agreement on safety from train operators as union launches “Keep the Guard on the Train – Keep the Train Safe” campaign

Publication Date: March 8 2010

RAIL UNION RMT today wrote to train operating companies up and down the UK seeking assurances on maintaining the safety-critical role of the Guard on train services the length and breadth of the country.

RMT has also launched a new campaign - “Keep the Guard on the Train – Keep the Train Safe” – aimed at highlighting the crucial role that guards play in maintaining rail safety and also aimed at ensuring that the public are fully aware of the importance of retaining the Guards.

In a letter to train operators today RMT has sought concrete agreement that there will be no extension of Driver Only Operation and guarantees that Guard’s will remain in complete control of powered door operation.

The agreement that RMT is seeking is simply a restatement by the train operating companies of previous collective agreements on the safety-critical role of the Guard dating back to 2001.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said today:

“In the current economic climate there is a drive to cut corners in order to maximise profits and to shore up the dividend payments to the shareholders of the train operating companies.

“We are simply demanding that exiting agreements with the train companies on the safety critical role of Guards on our trains are not diluted or undermined as part of the drive to pump up profits. We have already seen efforts by Southeastern Trains and First Scotrail to bulldoze through driver only operation and the axing of the Guard.

“We are giving the train operators until the 20^th April to respond positively to this approach from RMT and we are launching an information campaign aimed at ensuring that the travelling public fully understand the role that the Guards play on their trains.”

ENDS