Rail Not Running as Ve Don't Talk Anymore

• Content
• News
• Rail Not Running as Ve Don't Talk Anymore

28 April 2017 | Updated 01 January 1970

The rail union RMT confirmed last night (Thurs 27) that a 24 hour strike on Arriva Rail North would go ahead on Friday. There has been no progress in further talks this week over the guards and drivers' safety dispute.

The union said it was frustrated that the company had rejected a proposal to invite Transport Department officials to join in three way talks in an attempt to reach a solution.

Northern Rail workers are expected to join RMT rail colleagues from across the country at a national protest at Westminster at noon on Friday despite security fears in the area. This also marks the first anniversary of the Driver Only Operation dispute ‎on Southern Rail.

German owned Arriva have not bowed to union demands for 'a second safety critical member of staff on their trains' and are said to be planning to introduce a minimum of 50% driver controlled operation across the franchise upon the introduction of the new rolling stock. The rail unions are already spoiling for a fight.

1970s' throwback RMT General Secretary Mick Cash, who loves to call a strike, said: “The sheer intransigence of Arriva Rail North means that the action this Friday goes ahead as planned. The responsibility for the inevitable disruption lies wholly with the company. We are angry and frustrated that Arriva have thrown out a perfectly reasonable proposal to invite the DfT to join us in three way talks aimed at finding a solution.

“The public, who support RMT’s campaign for a guarantee of a guard on their trains, will be appalled that Arriva Rail North have failed yet again to offer any kind of progress whatsoever in the talks and have instead opted to try and bulldoze through their plans regardless.  It is that flagrant disregard for the safety issues at the heart of the dispute which leaves us with no option but to press ahead with the campaign of strike action."

Arriva, who couldn't organise a decent booze-up in a brewery let alone run an efficient public serving rail franchise, were unavailable for comment. 

Article written by Robin Snow | Published 28 April 2017

Share

Related Articles