Rail union announces further strike action for end of month

Rail Union RMT confirmed today that further strike action will be taking place on Arriva Rail North over attacks on the role of the safety-critical guard and the extension of Driver Only Operation in the name of increased profits. 'Ž
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2018, 16:41 BST
Updated 10th May 2018, 16:46 BST
RMT members stage a protest outside Wigan Wallgate in November 2017RMT members stage a protest outside Wigan Wallgate in November 2017
RMT members stage a protest outside Wigan Wallgate in November 2017

All Arriva Rail North conductors, instructors and train drivers who are members of the RMT have been instructed not to book on for any shifts on Thursday May 24 or Saturday May 26.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "It is a tribute to the determination and professionalism of RMT members on Arriva Rail North that they have remained rock solid for over a year now in what is a battle to put public safety before private profit.

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"German-owned Northern Rail want to run half a million trains a year without a safety critical guard on board in a move that would wreck both safety and access ‎to services and they should listen to their front-line staff and pull back from that plan immediately.

"RMT has agreed arrangements in Wales and Scotland that enshrine the guard guarantee. If it's good enough for Wales and Scotland to have safe rail services it should be good enough for the rest of Britain.

“The union remains ready for talks.”

It is the latest in a long line of walk-outs over the disputes, with picket lines being spotted outside Wigan Wallgate as recently as this week.

Related topics:WalesScotlandBritain