07.09.16
Two-day Southern strike begins
Southern passengers face further delays today as a 48-hour strike by the RMT begins, forcing the company to cancel services on 12 routes and run a reduced service on five others.
The strike is the fifth this year, driven by RMT’s ongoing opposition to Southern’s proposals to introduce driver-only operated (DOO) services, where train guards do not have the power to operate doors.
Campaigners from Disabled People Against the Cuts will join RMT strikers today, arguing that the proposals are a breach of the Equality Act 2010 because passengers may not receive assistance getting off a train if there are no staff on board or at the station.
A spokesperson said: “After 30 years of commitment, effort and public expenditure to ensure that disabled people can travel by train, as by other modes, with confidence, we risk taking a significant retrograde step that will effectively deny people those hard-won rights. That is simply unacceptable.”
Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT, said: “Reports from all locations this morning confirm that the strike action is rock solid and determined again across the Southern Rail network as we fight to put rail safety and access before the profits of the failed Govia Thameslink operation. Just a fraction of the £100m in cash hoarded by this outfit could keep the guards on the trains, keep the trains safe and resolve this dispute.
“This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of Govia Thameslink and the government who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern.
“RMT's fight is with the company and the government who have dragged this franchise into total meltdown. We share the anger and frustration of passengers and we cannot sit back while jobs and safety are compromised on these dangerously overcrowded trains.”
Southern has been forced to cancel 341 services a day in order to get control of the franchise, and its parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), has a lower PPM than any other company.
Delays on the line are so bad that the Association of British Commuters is now seeking judicial review of the government’s handling of the franchise.
Alex Foulds, Southern’s passenger director, said: “This two-day strike will achieve nothing. After many months of trying to reach agreement with the RMT, we are now moving forward with our plans for the benefit of customers and we urge the RMT to join us in putting passengers first.”
DOO was recently found to be safe by the Rail Safety and Standards Board.
Southern has made a new offer to RMT, including a promise to have a second staff member on as many trains as possible, but this was rejected.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: "This week's strike will cause more misery for thousands of passengers. We know that there are no risks to jobs or pay, and drivers have been closing train doors safely elsewhere on the railway for the last three decades.
"The rail industry must modernise to deliver the better service today's customers expect and deserve. The proposed changes would mean a better on-board service for customers and less disruption to services when problems occur."
(Image c. RMT)
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.