10.10.14
Arriva Trains Wales hit by 24-hour conductor strike
Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) faces 24-hours of strike action starting at noon today from conductors on its north Wales rail services.
The action, from members of the rail union RMT, is being taken over the sacking of two conductors by Arriva after they accumulated more than 890 sick days between them.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This strike action has been caused wholly by the dismissal and victimisation of two RMT members following management’s failure to abide by the agreed procedures. They have deliberately chosen not to exercise discretion but have instead opted to take the hard line approach of dismissal, it is that action that has resulted in a total breakdown in industrial relations.
“RMT is in no doubt that our members will support the action and their victimised colleagues. The union remains available for talks aimed at resolving this dispute.”
A statement on ATW’s website disputes the union’s view. It says that the conductors were dismissed for continued failure to attend work and that the correct procedures were followed in full.
“The employees have been fully supported over their careers but between them have accumulated over 890 days of sickness. We have a generous and fair company procedure for managing absence that has been developed and agreed with the trade unions, including the RMT. We are simply applying this procedure,” it said.
Conductors at Holyhead, Chester and Llandudno Junction Depots will be taking part in the action. ATW says it should cause “minimum disruption” to services.
Lynne Milligan, ATW customer services director, said: “We are disappointed that the RMT have called to take industrial action and we regret that the situation has not been resolved. However we are putting plans in place to minimise passenger journey disruption especially on the busy Friday evening peak time commuter services.
“We are hoping to have all trains ready to resume services as normal as soon as the strike action is over at midday on Saturday. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this industrial action.”
(Image: c. Mattbuck)
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]