11 June 2025
RMT Press Office:
Rail union, RMT is balloting over 300 Gateline staff across Great Western Railway (GWR) for strike action in response to company plans to impose single staffing and extend working hours.
The proposals would leave staff isolated, more exposed to abuse and violence, and unable to provide proper ticket enforcement and adequate assistance to passengers.
Unfortunately management have resorted to attempting to intimidate workers by insisting they will not win the ballot and that the new working arrangements are being imposed regardless of union action.
RMT is clear that single staffing on Gatelines is a direct attack on the safety, dignity and job security of frontline workers and the union will not accept it.
General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Our members are being threatened with unsafe working conditions and told there is nothing they can do about it. This is unacceptable and our members will not be intimidated.
"GWR is trying to impose single staffing which will put our members at greater chance of being harmed at work and we cannot allow that.
"RMT will not accept lone working on stations and Gatelines, and we are prepared to take strike action to stop it."
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NOTES:
The strike ballot will open 17 June and close 8 July.
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