On Wednesday, 19th December 2018, Northern announced that it had formally written to ACAS, asking for it to use its powers to launch an independent inquiry into the issues at the heart of the RMT Union's long-running dispute with Northern, over the role of the on-train Guard.
Yesterday, 21st December 2018, Northern released a further statement, saying that they have received backing from various employers, passenger groups and elected representatives from across the North of England.
The RMT Union responded to Northern's request, confirming that the union's 41st day of industrial action against the company will go ahead on Saturday 22nd December.
As well as announcing dates for further action to take place in the New Year on Saturday 05th, 12th, 19th, and 26th January.
What did the officials say?
Chris Dale, Chair of TravelWatch North West said:
“TWNW have always held the view that a second member of staff is required on Northern services; for accessibility, safety, and customer service. This has been guaranteed in recent statements. Therefore we welcome Northern's proposal for an independent inquiry, and we are surprised that the RMT has not yet agreed to it.”
Representative for the North East of England Chamber of Commerce, James Ramsbotham, added that “businesses across the North East are suffering because of the strike disruption. It is clear to us that an independent ACAS inquiry has the potential to break the deadlock and end the disruption which is risking jobs and income across the region.”
Mick Cash, the General Secretary for the RMT Union said:
“the cat is now out of the bag. Not only are Northern prepared to rip up the safety rule book but they are also shredding DfT statements from just a few weeks ago on the second member of staff.
“The RMT continues to make ever effort to get serious and meaningful talks going with Northern but the company are not interested and would prefer to call for an inquiry into the dispute to deflect attention from the impact of their behaviour on the travelling public.
“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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It’s good to hear that TWNW support a second member of staff on board Northern services for ‘accessibility, safety and customer service. What they don’t realise is that the proposed second person will not be ‘safety critical’ so the safety aspect is out the window and there are going to be certain circumstances, still to be decided, when trains will operate with no second person. So it’s no surprise that the RMT has not agreed to the proposal. Also the infrastructure in the North West is not fit for driver controlled operation (dco), whereas in London and the south east it has had the money put into it to make dco the norm.
Why does this issue not get sorted why is it everytime its a holiday these things arise…. Something needs done… Unions think oh let’s strike cause they get paid by there members and bosses play hardball….. But reality is its Joe public that suffers…. No matter what industry it is ppl will get fed up
I suppose more strikes will set to continue on Northern throughout 2019. Along with new CAF Class 195 DMU and Class 331 EMU Civity stocks which are to start service sometime early or Spring next year. Plus with Northern inheriting the Class 170 Turbostar trains cascaded from ScotRail and possibly Class 170 cascaded from West Midlands Trains as CAF are to manufacture the Class 196 DMU Civity stocks that is to replace the Class 170. Or WM Railway to retain some Class 170s and work alongside with the Class 172 units including Class 172/0 cascaded from London Overground that both units could work on the Leamington Spa-Coventry & Coventry-Nuneaton services.