South Western Railway boss promises to abide by ballot

22 September 2017

RMT Press Office:

South Western Railway boss promises to abide by result of RMT ballot in guards' dispute

Rail union RMT today seized on a statement from the top boss at South Western Railways that he will respect and abide by the ballot ‎result of RMT members over the role of guards and extension of DOO - interpreted by the union as meaning that if staff vote yes to strike the plans will be scrapped.

“Please be assured we will fully respect the democratic process of the ballot and the outcome whatever that may be.”

Andy Mellors
Managing Director
South Western Railways
15th September 2017

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"As far as RMT is concerned what Andy Mellors from SWR is saying is that if our members vote to strike he will pull his plans. There is no other way that he can "respect" the result.

"It would make perfect sense now for SWR to sit down with us and agree to pull back from this dispute by giving us the basic guard guarantee that we have been seeking since First/MTR took over the franchise.

"In the meantime our balloting process continues and we are getting a solid and positive response from members across the franchise for RMT's campaign."

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