RMT launches direct challenge to South Western Railway

RMT launches direct challenge to South Western Railway

12 February 2019

RMT Press Office:

RMT launches direct challenge to South Western Railway to honour guard guarantee on their trains

RAIL UNION RMT today launched a direct challenge to South Western Railway to give a “yes or no” answer to the question of whether or not they are prepared to give a cast-iron guarantee that every train will run with a guard on board, in addition to the driver, after the company attempted to imply to the travelling public that they are prepared to match similar pledges received by union from other train operators. No such offer has been received by RMT from SWR.

In a letter to the company today, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash says:

“I am writing in response to press comments that you issued to the media last Thursday – 7th February – regarding the ongoing SWR dispute over Driver Only Operation and the role of the guard.

In your press statement you say that;

"We have repeatedly committed to rostering a guard on all our services - the same assurance that seems to have been sufficient for the RMT to suspend its strikes elsewhere in the country only yesterday.”

You will be aware that your statement is not only wholly factually incorrect but is a deliberate and cynical attempt to mislead the travelling public in the area covered by your franchise.

The key principles accepted by Northern Rail through the ACAS process that you refer to are in fact as follows;

“     *that for the duration of the current franchise every train will be run with a conductor on board in addition to the driver; and

       *where new or modified rolling stock is being introduced that every train will continue to run with a conductor.   “

You will understand that the guarantee of a guard/conductor on every train in addition to the driver is wholly different to your statements about “rostering” a member of staff and to try and portray this otherwise in public statements is entirely disingenuous on your part.

So I am giving you the opportunity right now to rectify the situation. Are you prepared, as you have stated, to meet the terms of the offer to RMT from Northern Rail that EVERY train will run with a guard on board in addition to the driver. It really is very simple, YES or NO?

I look forward to your prompt response.”

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash said:

“Today I have issued a direct challenge to SWR – are you prepared to put an offer to this trade union giving an assurance that every train will run with a guard on board in addition to the driver. Yes or no?

“We want no more playing with words, we want this company to be straight and honest with both their passengers and their staff and today they have the opportunity to do just that.  We await their response.”

Ends.

NOTE;

THE NEXT PHASE OF SWR STRIKE ACTION IS AS FOLLOWS:

RMT members on South Western Railway working as Commercial Guards, Guards and Train Drivers are instructed to not to book on for any shifts that commence between:-

 

• 00.01 Hours and 23.59 Hours on Friday 22nd February 2019.

 

• 00.01 Hours and 23.59 Hours on Saturday 9th March 2019.

 

• 00.01 Hours and 23.59 Hours on Saturday 16th March 2019.

 

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Tagged with: swr, south western railway, doo, dco, driver only operation, guards, conductors,