1 August 2016
RMT Press Office:
RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it has received a new offer from ScotRail in the on-going dispute over Driver Only Operation and the safety-critical role of the guards. The offer will now be subject to detailed scrutiny and consultation before there is any formal response from the union.
In a circular to members issued today, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash sets out the details of the company offer;
“ScotRail has confirmed that we are considering a way forward whereby Conductors will be retained on EMUs in the Network area.
It is proposed that any ScotRail EMU services that operate on those routes that are being electrified, now or in the future, and services that operate on the north Berwick-Edinburgh-Carstairs-Glasgow routes (i.e. excluding any EMU services currently operating under existing DOO arrangements) will be: -
1. Guaranteed a Conductor on every new electrified train.
2. Guaranteed that the Conductor will retain their full competency (rules, track safety, evacuation).
In addition ScotRail confirm that trains operating these services will not run without a competent Conductor on board.
This proposal, including the above guarantees, is subject to ScotRail and the RMT entering into discussion about and agreeing a method of train dispatch for these services. Once this proposal and the method of dispatch are agreed it will be adopted for the Abellio ScotRail franchise and will apply beyond.”
RMT will be making no further comment on the offer until our members and representatives have had time to respond through the union’s democratic structures. The current programme of industrial action remains on.
Ends
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