Protest demonstration and Rally at Houses of Parliament on 1st November to support Southern Conductors and oppose Driver Only Operation

Monday 3rd October2016

Circular No. National Policy NP/231/16/BO

To all Branches and Regional Councils

Dear Colleagues,

Protest demonstration and Rally at Houses of Parliament on 1st November to support Southern Conductors and oppose Driver Only Operation

I am writing to ask for your support in our current dispute with GTR Southern. This is an industrial dispute about the safety of passengers and the loss of skilled, safety critical trained Conductors on trains. But it has enormous implications for Guards across the whole country.

The private train operating companies funded Rail Safety and Standards Board predict that making all guards compulsory redundant in the UK, across all franchises will deliver savings of £2.1 billion in 20 years.  That is why the government is determined to let GTR Southern continue to default on this franchise, the biggest one in the country, whilst it is trying to defeat the RMT. Like previous struggles in our history the RMT is now being targeted to send a clear message to every union member that fighting against cuts is not going to work.

That is why on the 1st November we will be holding a protest demonstration outside the House of Parliament and a rally in Committee Room 10 to support Southern Conductors.

Protest demonstration outside the House of Parliament start 12.30-1.30 pm

Rally in Parliament in Committee Room 10 from 2.00-3.30pm

We need to let them know the strength of feeling that exists. The NEC has therefore agreed this is a legitimate use of Branch expenditure so please help and encourage members to attend.

Please do all you can to support this action on the day.

With your support we will win this pivotal battle between rail workers and the Tories.


Yours sincerely,

 
Mick Cash
General Secretary