13.03.17
Triple RMT strikes cause passenger disruption across UK rail network
Strikes across the nation’s railway today has caused disruption and difficulty for passengers, as RMT pressed ahead with its industrial action against rail operators.
The dispute, which has now dragged on for almost a year in parts of the network, centres around the union’s opposition to the proposed move to driver-only-operated (DOO) or driver-controlled operation (DCO) trains, which would see services be operated without a guard and could potentially, RMT claims, compromise passenger safety – although this has been widely disputed.
Today marks the latest in the union’s continued action as up to 2,000 drivers and guards working for Southern Rail, Merseyrail and Northern Rail go on strike, triggering travel problems across the country, with Northern only able to run around 40% of its regular service.
The strike has been met with strong words from the Rail Delivery Group, with Paul Plummer, its CEO, saying: “Passengers have every right to be angry and confused at this unnecessary strike.
“We have a growing railway with great opportunities for our people, and rail companies have offered to guarantee jobs and pay. We are introducing modern trains which passengers want and new technology which enables us to improve services without ever compromising on safety.
“Modernisation plans in the north of England are at an early stage and the companies involved want to work with staff and unions on those.”
But RMT has hit back at operators by confirming that the unions were standing strong and holding pickets across the country to make their message to rail bosses and the public clear.
Its general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “In the teeth of a relentless campaign of spin and intimidation from Southern Rail the RMT guards’ and drivers’ action continues to hold firm in the fight for rail safety nearly a year on.
“RMT members on Southern have shown incredible courage and resilience in the year-long battle to put passenger safety before private profits. They are a credit to their local communities and to the entire trade union movement.”
Cash concluded his statement by again urging Southern and parent company Govia Thameslink Railway to resume negotiations: “Instead of their usual barrage of distortions and misinformation it is about time Southern/GTR got out of the bunker and got back round the table with the union in serious and meaningful talks.”
In a separate statement, the general secretary hailed the action against Northern and Merseyrail, which lost a court injunction to block today’s strike last week, as standing “absolutely rock solid”.
“Our pickets are out across the franchise and the response has been fantastic,” he added. “This action could have been avoided if Arriva hadn't back pedalled from earlier pledges to retain the guard. It is now down to the company to get that pledge back on the table and engage with the union in talks over a safe and sustainable future built around the guarantee of a guard on the trains.”
Northern have also urged passengers that despite running a limited timetable, it was doing all it could to ensure services ran as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Paul Barnfield, regional director said: “By 12.30pm 448 trains had arrived at their destinations, helping customers get to work in major towns and cities across the North. Our plan is working well and we have even been able to run a few more morning rush hour trains than originally planned.
“We are now concentrating efforts on getting people home this evening” Barnfield said. “We urge everyone wanting to travel home today to think now about their return journey.”
He also warned that services on many routes will start to wind down from mid-afternoon onwards, and very few trains would be running after 5pm this evening.
“On behalf of Northern I would like to thank our customers for working with us today and altering their travel plans. I would also like to thank all of our people who have worked so hard to run our trains today.
“Keep an eye out on Northern’s social media feeds for any updates on our train services.”
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.