|
Railway Union, RMT to strike on Grand National day!
THE UK's Railway
Union, RMT, on 21 March 2017, have confirmed that a new strike will take place
on the day of The Grand National, on Saturday, 8 April 2017. The strike will
last for just under 24 hours, between 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours. This has
worried many businesses who rely on visitors to the world famous steeplechase,
that first started in 1839, that this strike might have major knock on effect to
visitor numbers. the RMT claim that:- "Merseyrail have wrecked talks over
the crucial issue of the future of the safety critical role of the guard and
they have no option, but to take further action." It is also being
reported that Drivers will also be on strike over this issue, but we have not
had that officially confirmed as of yet.
In addition, the RMT have told us that they will be stepping up the campaign,
involving the general public and targeting politicians across the areas served
by Merseyrail. The areas affected have very mixed reactions to this action and
the RMT now aims at maximising political and public support for RMT's fight for
a guaranteed guard on the company's services.
RMT General secretary Mick Cash said:- "It is
disgraceful that Merseyrail wrecked a golden opportunity to engage in serious
talks with the union yesterday. RMT reps set out key points for discussion that
could have moved the dispute forwards, Merseyrail kicked that conciliatory
approach back in our faces and made it crystal clear that all that they are
interested in is the union signing a surrender document which gives them a free
hand to rip apart the safety culture on the railway. It is that cynical and
hostile stance from Merseyrail which has left us with no option, but to put on
this additional strike action. RMT recognises the severe impact that the action
will have on Grand National Day but we are dealing with an employer that refuses
to listen or engage with the union on the critical issue of safe rail operation
and we ask the public to understand that we have no option, but to take this
high profile action, to force the company back to the negotiating table. There
is ample time between now and 8 April 2017, for genuine talks to take place and
for a safe and sustainable deal that protects the future safety across
Merseyrail services to be put in place. The company should take up that offer of
further talks as a matter of urgency. Merseyrail are completely ignoring the
clear wishes of their own passengers, who overwhelmingly oppose the idea of
Driver Only Operated trains on their network. That pig headed attitude has
forced the union's hand and the idea that we would compromise on the fundamental
issue of rail safety is absurd. The ball is now firmly in Merseyrail's court."
|
