Rail workers to walk out on strike EVERY Saturday in September

Rail passengers across Yorkshire face further delays next month as a two-year long dispute over the role of guards rumbles on.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Aug 2018, 10:37 BST
Updated 29th Aug 2018, 10:41 BST
Passengers at Halifax train stationPassengers at Halifax train station
Passengers at Halifax train station

Workers on Arriva Rail North (Northern) will stage 24-hour walk-outs every Saturday in September in a dispute over the introduction of driver-only operation on their services.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will walk out Saturday, September 1, 8 15, 22 and 29 following the failure of talks.

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RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT has made every effort to get serious and meaningful talks going with Northern but instead of making progress towards a settlement that matches the best practice in the rail industry as negotiated elsewhere the company have opted instead to play and fast and loose making a mockery of the exercise.

“It is the pig headed and arrogant attitude of the company that has forced us to announce this next phase of action and to confirm that the strikes planned from Saturday go ahead.

“RMT members on Arriva Rail North have been in dispute for well over a year now in a battle to put public safety before private profit and we are angry and frustrated that a genuine opportunity to reach an agreement has been kicked back by the company.

“We thank the public for their support and understanding throughout this dispute over rail safety and access and the union remains ready for genuine and serious talks.”

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Richard Allan, deputy managing director of Northern, said: "The RMT's announcement of yet more strike action is disappointing and frustrating. This will be a blow for our customers.

"It comes despite Northern proposing and entering into a joint working party with RMT on the future of the on-board role. We have agreed a terms of reference for those talks, agreed to discuss the RMT's preferred outcome first and then held four days of talks with RMT in recent weeks. A further day of talks has also been proposed for Friday August 17.

"Northern is doing everything possible to find a solution to the RMT's dispute and maintains that talking costs nothing, whilst strike action causes inconvenience to customers and damages the case for long-term investment in rail."

Related topics:WorkersRMT