22 May 2018
RMT Press Office:
RMT confirms strike action on Northern Rail goes ahead Thursday and Saturday in fight over guards and rail safety.
RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that further strike action will go ahead exactly as planned on Arriva Rail North this week over attacks on the role of the safety-critical guard and the extension of Driver Only Operation in the name of increased profits.
All Arriva Rail North Conductor, Conductor Instructor and Train Driver members are instructed to take action as follows:
- Not to book on for any shifts between 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Thursday 24th May 2018
- Not to book on for any shifts between 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Saturday 26th May 2018
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“It is a tribute to the determination and professionalism of RMT members on Arriva Rail North that they have remained rock solid for over a year now in what is a battle to put public safety before private profit. The next phase of action on Thursday and Saturday goes ahead exactly as planned as the company refuse point blank to engage in talks.
"German-owned Northern Rail want to run half a million trains a year without a safety critical guard on board in a move that would wreck both safety and access to services and they should listen to their front-line staff and pull back from that plan immediately.
“We have seen again this week that Arriva are not capable of running a railway and have chosen to declare war on passengers and staff alike in the drive for increased profits while safety, access and reliability are left to rot.
"RMT has agreed arrangements in Wales and Scotland that enshrine the guard guarantee. If it's good enough for Wales and Scotland to have safe rail services it should be good enough for the rest of Britain.
“We thank the public for their support and understanding throughout this dispute over rail safety and access and the union remains ready for talks.”
ENDS
Unity House
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