Public Meeting: The truth about Abellio Scotrail

7 July 2016

RMT Press Office:

Public Meeting: The truth about Abellio Scotrail slashing Guards’ jobs.

Rail union RMT is to hold a public meeting setting out the facts about Abellio Scotrail’s gambling with safety, by extending Driver Only Operation (DOO) to extract as much profit as possible from the operation. Abellio is a Dutch owned company. Profits from Scotrail are used to subsidise cheaper fares in Holland.

The meeting will take place on 19th July from 6 – 8 pm at the Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2QL. Speakers include Steve Hedley (RMT Assistant General Secretary), Mick Hogg (RMT Regional Officer), train guards, and a representative for disabled passengers. Other invited speakers include the local SNP MSP.

The event is being held in the wake of a series of rock-solid strikes across Scotland over the issue. RMT has pressed hard for serious talks through ACAS but progress has been blocked at every turn by the company.

Despite a barrage of misinformation from Abellio Scotrail the issue at the core of the dispute is safety and the safety-critical role of the guard.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;

“This meeting will be an important opportunity for the travelling public to hear the facts behind the dispute we are engaged with Abellio Scotrail over their proposed extension of DOO.

“It will set out the reality of the threat to passengers of watering down and wiping out the safety critical role of the guard on these Scotrail services.”

“RMT’s policy is for no extension of DOO on any route or service and for the guard to be in full operational control of the power operated doors. Furthermore, RMT has made it clear that the union is totally opposed to any proposals for extending DOO, reducing or abolishing the safety role of the Conductor and reducing or abolishing the role of the Conductor in operation of the doors.”

Ends