London Overground day of action - Friday 11th October

Circular No: NP/170/19

TO ALL BRANCHES & REGIONAL COUNCILS.

24th September 2019

Dear Colleagues

LONDON OVERGROUND DAY OF ACTION – FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER

Last year, Arriva Rail London (ARL), which operates London Overground, proposed to close 51 ticket offices across the network. ARL claimed that this would improve the service. However, the RMT firmly believed the closures would be detrimental to passengers, risking station safety, security and accessibility and impeding the range of tickets and services available.

There was an overwhelming response to the RMT’s campaign from passengers, with over 6000 people opposing the closures. This led to the Mayor to announce in April 2019, that the ticket offices would remain open.

However, ARL is instead planning to cut ticket office hours at 45 stations across the network. In many cases the ticket offices will be open just 2.5 hours in the morning Monday – Friday. Many ticket offices are facing cuts of over 80% compared to their current hours.

ARL also plans to permanently close the ticket offices at three London Overground stations – Brondesbury, White Hart Lane and West Hampstead.

Branches are encouraged to take part in the day of action on Friday 11th October to send a message to Arriva Rail London and the Mayor that these cuts and closures must be stopped.

In addition to the three proposed closures, the following ticket offices are facing cuts to hours: Acton Central, Anerley, Brondesbury Park, Bruce Grove, Bush Hill Park, Caledonian Road & Barnsbury, Camden Road, Canonbury, Carpenders Park, Clapton, Dalston Junction, Dalston Kingsland, Finchley Road & Frognal, Gospel Oak, Hackney Central, Hackney Downs, Hackney Wick, Haggerston, Hampstead Heath, Hatch End, Headstone Lane, Homerton, Honor Oak Park, Hoxton, Imperial Wharf, Kensal Rise, Kensington Olympia, Kentish Town West, Kilburn High Road, Penge West, Rectory Road, Rotherhithe, Shadwell, Shepherd's Bush, Shoreditch High Street, Silver Street, South Acton, South Hampstead, Southbury, St James Street, Stoke Newington, Turkey Street, Wapping, Watford High Street, Wood Street.
To receive postcards and leaflets to hand to passengers on the day of action, please email Sophie Ward (s.ward@rmt.org.uk) with the name and address to send the materials to and the station name and times when you will be leafletting. Please email by Monday 7th October to ensure the materials are posted to you in time.

RMT branches are encouraged to work with local trades councils, their local Labour Party and passenger groups to oppose the closures.

Further details of the campaign are available on the RMT website here - https://www.rmt.org.uk/campaigns/rail/save-london-overground-ticket-offices/

I have written to the Mayor of London calling on him to urgently use his powers to halt the proposed closures and cuts and to advise him that the RMT will take all steps necessary to protect members’ terms and conditions.

Please do all you can to oppose this retrograde step and support this important campaign.

Yours sincerely

 

Mick Cash
General Secretary