20 March 2018
RMT Press Office:
RMT secures renewed mandates for action in ballots on Greater Anglia and South Western Railway enforced by the Tory anti-union laws.
RAIL UNION RMT has confirmed today that it has secured overwhelming votes to continue with action in the rail safety disputes on Greater Anglia and South Western Railway after being forced to renew the mandates with both employers under the terms of the new wave of Tory anti-union laws.
On Greater Anglia the strike vote was over 80% yes on a turn-out of over 80% and on South Western Railway the turn-out was 63% with a yes vote of 73%.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“RMT has been forced under the latest wave of Tory anti-union laws to re-ballot in the rail safety disputes on both Greater Anglia and South Western Railway under the six month rule and once again our members at both companies have stood united and solid and have renewed the mandate to carry on the fight to put public safety before private profit.
“Both Greater Anglia and South Western Railway have opted to play for time over the past six months rather than acting responsibly and getting round the table with the union to work out a solution to these separate disputes that puts safety and the guard guarantee centre stage. That is the package we have successfully negotiated in both Wales and Scotland and it defies belief that we are being denied the same positive outcome on these English franchises.
“Now that the staff have spoken the ball is in the court of both Greater Anglia and South Western Railway and we expect a swift and positive response to the union’s call for genuine and meaningful talks to commence immediately.”
ENDS
Unity House
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