15.08.16
Southern to push ahead with DOO as RMT talks fail to reach agreement
Southern has vowed to move forward with its modernisation plans after talks with the RMT union over introducing driver-only operated (DOO) trains in the capital ended without agreement.
Last week, the RMT cut short its five-day strike as it re-entered negotiations with the operator at Acas.
However, GTR, the parent company of Southern, said a deal could not be agreed with the union. Last week, the operator proposed an eight-point plan deal, including have a second person on as many trains as today.
Angie Doll, GTR’s passenger services director, said: ‘’We have been talking to the union for nine months now and, despite several visits to Acas, the union won't agree a deal. Passengers will be rightly exasperated that the RMT won’t agree to what most fair-minded people would believe is an incredibly good offer.
“The RMT’s position does not help our passengers at all. We have guaranteed to have a second person on as many trains as today, but the union is rigidly refusing our offer to agree a list of exceptional circumstances when we would be able to run our trains without a second staff member on board, such as during disruption to still get people home. This would create the crucial flexibility we need to ensure fewer cancelled trains for our passengers.”
Doll added that the RMT “has repeatedly” tried to play the safety card as the issue, but said it did not raise this issue at all during these latest talks.
She said that the eight-point proposal is still on the table, and “we urge the RMT to give this serious consideration”.
Doll added that over the coming weeks, GTR will be working closely with our staff we start to implement these vital changes. Under the new services, which are due to be introduced on 21 August, conductors can’t open the doors on trains.
Following the talks, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “We had a golden opportunity in these talks to make some serious progress on the core issue of a second person on the train who would have protected the safety of passengers, delivered customer service and ensured access to services for those with disabilities or needing assistance.
“It's a bitter blow that a firm set of union proposals that could have allowed us to move forward were rejected out of hand. The matter will be discussed by the union executive this afternoon.”
Southern was recently forced to cancel 341 services a day in order to try and control the unexpected delays that have blighted the franchise, although it has since restored 16. The operator has refused to give a date for when its cancelled services will be restored. It said the revised timetable will operate “for a minimum three weeks” after the end of the strike on 12 August.
During the recent industrial action, Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has reiterated his call for TfL to take over the Southern rail franchise.