23 August 2016
RMT Press Office:
RMT announces new strike dates in Southern guards safety dispute.
RAIL UNION RMT today confirmed a new programme of industrial action involving Southern rail guards after the company walked away from talks and opted instead to bulldoze through the roll out of the new operational arrangements from last Sunday without any serious attempt to secure agreement.
As a result of this flagrant disregard for the safety and security of passengers and staff alike RMT has had no alternative but to declare the following action:
Our members are to take strike action by not booking on for any shifts between 0001 on Wednesday 7th September and 2359 on Thursday 8th September.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
“This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of the Govia Thameslink and the Government who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern. Instead they have begun the process of bulldozing through the drive towards wholesale Driver Only Operation without agreement and without any concern for the impact on safety, security and disability access.
"Our fight is with the company and the Government who have dragged this franchise into total meltdown. We share the anger and frustration of passengers and we cannot sit back while jobs and safety are compromised on these dangerously overcrowded trains.
"It is disgraceful that neither the company or the Government are prepared to engage and are looking to bully through the extension of DOO and the attack on the guards from last Sunday regardless . They should wake up and get round the table now as an urgent priority."
Ends
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: