16 November 2019
RMT Press Office:
Rail union RMT said that strike action on West Midlands Trains this morning is rock solid with pickets out in force at all key locations as the union fights to put the role of the guard and the safety of the travelling public before the profits of the private train operator.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:
“RMT members are standing rock solid and determined this morning across the West Midlands Trains franchise as we fight to put the safety-critical role of the guard at the platform/train interface, and the safety and accessibility of the travelling public, before the profits of the train operator who is looking to play fast and loose with the crucial despatch operation on their services.
“The inevitable and serious disruption to services today is wholly down to the company and their refusal to agree to the safest possible means of operation.
“We will not allow the drive for profit to override the core issue of safe and accessible services for all on West Midlands Trains and we stand firm on that very basic principle. We will never compromise on the issues of passenger safety and accessibility.
“The union remains available for talks.”
Ends.
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