The rail union, RMT, has today announced further strike action with Greater Anglia in a fight over rail safety and the role of the guard on trains.
The strike will take place for 24 hours on Saturday 5th May 2018.
Members have been instructed not to book on for any shifts between 00.01 hours and 23.59 hours on Saturday 5th May 2018.
This action will no doubt affect timetables, of which, will be announced in due course.
What did the officials say?
In a message to members today RMT General Secretary Mick Cash says:
“A further meeting has been held between Greater Anglia and RMT and following intense discussions, the company tabled their ‘best and final' proposals. These proposals have recently been discussed at a staff side meeting with RMT Local and Company Council Reps where it was unanimously agreed that the company's position was unacceptable.
“Greater Anglia remains adamant that the role of the guard will have no involvement in the releasing or closing of the train doors. The proposal stipulates that ‘train drivers will operate the train doors and undertake train despatch in normal circumstances.'
“RMT Reps are of the view that the ‘guarantees' given by the company are unreliable and that their proposed review on the ‘utilisation of Conductors' would be ‘concluded in readiness for the May 2019 timetable'. Our Reps are also of the view that the company cannot be trusted to preserve a safety critically trained employee let alone a guard on every train and the company's exceptional circumstances clause was open to obvious abuse.
“The vital safety role of the guard is still under threat and the extension of DOO remains a serious risk. Therefore, the matter has been considered by the union's National Executive Committee which has now instructed our Greater Anglia Conductor and Senior Conductor members to take the following industrial action: “Members are instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between:
* 00.01 hours and 23.59 hours on Saturday 5th May 2018
“Additionally, members are instructed not to work additional Sundays beyond your agreed rostered Sundays as from 23.59 hours on Saturday 5th May 2018.
“Once again, I would like to congratulate our members for their continuous show of strength and solidarity throughout this long dispute which is solely about putting rail safety before private profit.”
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At least it’s not as bad as the 48hrs strike that GA had once imposed a 48hr strike with train drivers, train guards and conductors going on strike for 48hrs. Because of cuts to their salaries and yes new trains are coming from late this year and next year-onwards.