2 December 2019
RMT Press Office:
RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that balloting will begin on Friday on Arrival Rail London for strike action and action short of a strike to resist an all-out assault on ticket offices.
The union has been campaigning against plans to axe Overground ticket offices for the past two years and although the initial plans were pushed back the union has now accused ARL and TFL of trying to smuggle through a closure programme by stealth.
Just today the union has received confirmation from the company that revised ticket office hours will be implemented at Bruce Grove and South Action. Additionally the temporary closures at Stamford Hill and Theobalds Grove, which were in place while the review was being conducted, will now be permanently closed. These changes will be implemented in just a few weeks with a further roll out in other locations towards early in the new year.
The current plans would mean many stations would only be open 07:30 – 10:00 am, Monday to Friday.
The proposals equate to a cut in hours of over 65% across the Overground. Many stations are facing cuts in hours of over 80%.
If these cuts go ahead, and many ticket offices are closed for large parts of the day, RMT is concerned that:
• Stations will become less safe, secure and accessible.
• Passengers will not be able to access all ticket types and services at a machine.
• Many people, including some elderly and disabled passengers, would struggle to purchase tickets and get advice.
• It will be easier for London Overground to close more ticket offices and reduce staffing even further in the future.
Ballot papers will be sent to members on Friday 6th December 2019 with a closing date of Thursday 19th December 2019.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:
“We are kicking off the ballot this week to make our members voice is heard over these outrageous proposals which would wreck passenger services across London Overground with the closure programme kicking in before Christmas.
“Having failed to close the London Overground ticket offices completely due to a union and public campaign that convinced London Travel Watch to keep them open ARL/ TFL are now trying to achieve the same results by stealth.
“The consultative process has been exposed as a sham and our members are not prepared to sit idly by when safety and accessibility are once again sacrificed for profit.
“The Mayor must step up and demand these ticket offices remain open and that TFL is adequately funded to service all the people of London equally instead of employing measures that will discriminate against the disabled and vulnerable.”
Ends.
| Station | Current weekly hours |
Proposed hours
|
% cut | Station | Current weekly hours |
Proposed hours
|
% cut |
| Acton Central |
84.25
|
12.5
|
85
|
Hoxton |
15
|
12.50
|
17
|
| Anerley |
39.25
|
12.5
|
68
|
Imperial Wharf |
78.75
|
44.50
|
43
|
| Brondesbury |
84.25
|
0
|
CLOSING | Kensal Rise |
42
|
15.00
|
64
|
| Brondesbury Park |
28.75
|
12.5
|
57
|
Kensington Olympia |
78.75
|
12.50
|
84
|
| Bruce Grove |
42
|
12.5
|
70
|
Kentish Town West |
35
|
12.50
|
64
|
| Bush Hill Park |
78.5
|
16.25
|
79
|
Kilburn High Road |
42
|
12.50
|
70
|
| Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury |
31.25
|
12.5
|
60
|
Penge West |
20
|
12.50
|
38
|
| Camden Road |
93.75
|
41
|
56
|
Rectory Road |
42
|
12.50
|
70
|
| Canonbury |
47.5
|
12.5
|
74
|
Rotherhithe |
15
|
12.50
|
17
|
| Carpenders Park |
88.25
|
20
|
77
|
Shadwell |
15
|
12.50
|
17
|
| Clapton |
89
|
12.5
|
86
|
Shepherd's Bush |
78.75
|
43.50
|
45
|
| Dalston Junction |
83.5
|
14.75
|
82
|
Shoreditch High Street |
38.5
|
24.50
|
36
|
| Dalston Kingsland |
89.25
|
67.75
|
24
|
Silver Street |
42
|
17.50
|
58
|
| Finchley Rd & Frognal |
42
|
12.5
|
70
|
South Acton |
16.25
|
12.50
|
23
|
| Gospel Oak |
88.75
|
12.5
|
86
|
South Hampstead |
15
|
12.50
|
17
|
| Hackney Central |
91.25
|
43.75
|
52
|
Southbury |
67
|
17.50
|
74
|
| Hackney Downs |
88
|
12.5
|
86
|
St James Street |
89
|
15.00
|
83
|
| Hackney Wick |
31.25
|
12.5
|
60
|
Stoke Newington |
42
|
12.50
|
70
|
| Haggerston |
15
|
12.5
|
17
|
Turkey Street |
40.5
|
20.75
|
49
|
| Hampstead Heath |
92.75
|
12.5
|
87
|
Wapping |
15
|
12.50
|
17
|
| Hatch End |
58.5
|
12.5
|
79
|
Watford High Street |
84.25
|
15.25
|
82
|
| Headstone Lane |
43.5
|
12.5
|
71
|
West Hampstead |
84.25
|
0.00
|
CLOSING |
| Homerton |
84.25
|
69.75
|
17
|
White Hart Lane |
64.5
|
0.00
|
CLOSING |
| Honor Oak Park |
90.75
|
18.25
|
80
|
Wood Street |
76.5
|
17.50
|
77
|
Unity House
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