14.08.17
RMT to ballot members over extending DOO dispute to Greater Anglia
RMT has today moved its new dispute with Greater Anglia forward as the union announced it will be balloting its members over the possibility of industrial action against the operator.
The dispute relates to the roll-out of driver-only operated (DOO) trains across services, something the union argues will compromise the safety of passengers.
It is also locked in similar battles with Merseyrail, Northern and Southern – with the latter persisting after over a year – and has recently caused disruption across the country with a number of strikes against all three operators.
But Greater Anglia assured that it has no intention to remove conductors from its trains, and that it was seeking further talks with the RMT to try and agree a way forward.
“We have now received notification of a ballot for industrial action from the RMT,” a spokesperson for Greater Anglia said. “We have no intention to remove conductors from our trains. They are highly valued colleagues and they will continue to play an important role on our trains.
“Clearly we hope that industrial action can be avoided but we will do our utmost to protect our customers from any disruption it could cause.”
Outspoken general secretary of the union Mick Cash, however, commented: “Greater Anglia have been given every opportunity to give a guarantee on the future role of the guard on their services. They have failed to do so.
“RMT will not sit back and wait for the company any longer and we have no option but to proceed to ballot in order to protect safety and access on Greater Anglia services.
“The union remains available for further talks around the crucial issue of the guard guarantee.”
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