09.04.15
FGW insists new SETs won’t lead to job cuts
First Great Western (FGW) insists that it will be increasing rather than decreasing the number of staff on board long-distance trains when it introduces new Super Express Trains (SETs) from 2017.
This is despite rail union RMT saying FirstGroup is laying out the ground to axe guards and catering services on the new Inter City Express trains being supplied by Hitachi.
The union says a letter makes it clear that for the operation of SETs:
- The Driver will be solely responsible for the operation of the doors on SET trains.
- Although not the normal method of operation, SET services could be operated with the Driver as the only member of staff on board when a Train Manager is not immediately available.
In respect of catering facilities the correspondence confirms that whilst a full kitchen will be provided on all SET trains the intention is to introduce an at seat trolley service in standard class.
But Ben Rule, FGW’s operations director, said: “We are not removing train managers or customer hosts from these trains, and we will be serving hot and cold food and drink on more trains than we do today.
“We are being very clear from the very start. We need every train manager and customer host we have got - plus at least 100 more over the course of the franchise - for our plans to deliver the very best customer service on our long distance services. There will be absolutely no compulsory redundancies for those currently working on board these trains.
“And to help make sure those who currently work on our High Speed Trains stay with us, we’ve also promised no changes to pay or conditions of employment, with retraining and redeployment available for those who do no want to make the switch to the newer trains.”
FGW added that it has already outlined these plans formally to the RMT, and wrote to staff last week highlighting the proposals and the commitments to jobs. But RMT has confirmed it has declared a dispute and is preparing an industrial action ballot on Great Western services.
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]