ROLE OF THE GUARD AND EXTENSION OF DOO SOUTHERN (GTR)

1st November 2016

Our Ref: BR2/0146

ROLE OF THE GUARD AND EXTENSION OF DOO SOUTHERN (GTR)

EVENING STANDARD'S BOGUS STORY ON BOGUS OFFER

Dear Colleague,

Some of you will have seen the story in last night's evening standard on Southern's threat to RMT guards members. Basically it is the press putting the company’s spin out as facts when the reality is far far different.

The Standard is selectively quoting parts of the company’s offer and are using phrases such as Guards ‘will have effectively sacked themselves’. The fact is that we have a written confirmation from GTR that no member of staff, following the ‎guidance from the union in terms of the migration to the OBS role, will be at any risk of losing their job

I would like to make it clear to members, despite the lies printed in the paper, that ‘the offer is withdrawn in its entirety’ relates to one thing and one thing only and that is the £2000 bribe to sell out on safety. As you know this has already been rejected by the union and GTR are well aware of this.

As the saying goes ‘never let the truth stand in the way of a good story’ and this is exactly what the Standard has done – not really a surprise as the press are hardly a friend to the Unions or working class people.

I would like to make it clear there is no new or improved offer, there is no new story, it is just GTR and the Standard rehashing an old offer that has already been rejected to try and cause confusion. Poor and lazy journalism is an understatement.

Stand Firm
Support the Strikes
Support the Union
Support your Colleagues

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash
General Secretary