24 March 2015
RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that there will be strike action in a victimisation dispute on First Great Western. The announcement comes the day after FGW were awarded a contract extension in a move described by RMT as a "grotesque reward for failure by a toxic company which treats it's staff like dirt."
In the dispute, which involved a member of train crew fitted up and victimised by the company, a ballot has already been held and delivered an overwhelming mandate for action.
As a result, the union’s Executive Committee has had the opportunity to consider the matter and believes that in order to achieve justice for our dismissed member industrial action is necessary to force management to see sense and reinstate.
RMT’s General Grades Committee has now taken the decision to call on all our FGW Conductor (Guard), Train Driver HSS, Train Driver West and Train Manager (Guard) members at Penzance to take the following strike action:
- Not to book on for any turns of duty that commence between 04.00 hours on Friday 27th March 2015 until 03.59 hours on Saturday 28th March 2015
- Not to book on for any turns of duty that commence between 06.00 hours on Sunday 5th April 2015 until 05.59 hours on Tuesday 7th April 2015
Additionally, the General Grades Committee has instructed all our FGW Conductor (Guard), Train Driver HSS, Train Driver West and Train Manager (Guard) members at Penzance to take industrial action short of a strike, as instructed below:
- Not to work any overtime from 04.00 hours on Friday 27th March 2015 until further notice
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“It is clear from the current dispute we are engaged in that there is a culture of bullying and intimidation of staff rife within the money-spinning racket which is the First Great Western operation.
“RMT will not allow this culture to go unchallenged and the union will defend our individual members and the principle of workplace justice.
“The union remains available for talks in this dispute.”
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: