|
Strike action might breach
existing legal commitments to protect older and disabled passengers
THE Rail Union RMT claims that a
Northern Rail bulletin issued to staff ahead of tomorrow's strike action
breaches existing legal commitments to protect older and disabled passengers.
The Union has told the media that Northern Rail has said that in future they
only want:- "a 2nd person on many trains, just not all, we want to explore
staffing options with the RMT where there may not need to be a 2nd person on
board." Yet Northern Rail, according to the RMT, is required by their
operating license to establish and comply with a "disabled people's
protection policy" which must be approved by the Rail Regulator, the
Office of Road and Rail. Northern's existing disabled people's protection policy
called Making Rail Accessible, via helping older and disabled passengers was
reissued as recently as June 2017 and detail a number of areas where having a
Conductor (Guard) on all trains currently protects older and disabled
passengers. The policy rightly boasts that:- "all our trains have
conductors they are there to help so please don't hesitate to ask and that
passengers who require assistance getting on and off the trains will benefit
from the fact that Conductors will fit the on train ramps at unstaffed stations.
The policy also sets out how a Conductor on every trains assists and protects
older and disabled passengers after they have boarded the train. Our conductors,
who are on every train, will make every effort to help older and disabled
passengers to find a seat. They will also take reasonable steps to ensure that
the wheelchair space is available for wheelchair users when required…… Aural and
visual information; Conductors are trained to make announcements giving details
of the next station in good time to allow disabled passengers to prepare to
alight. They will also provide information on any service disruption. Conductors
are trained to take into account the needs of visually impaired, deaf or hearing
impaired people, as well as those with reduced mobility. On board the train, our
conductors will keep you informed and explain where all the emergency
information is located. They're also fully trained to assist all passengers
should evacuation of the train be necessary."
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:-
"Currently, under the terms of their own operating licence; agreed with the rail
regulator; Northern Rail have to comply with their commitment to older and
disabled passengers that there will be a Conductor on every train. This means
there will always be assistance available to get on and off the train and there
will also always be assistance available when on board the train. It also
guarantees there will always be a Conductor to inform and protect older and
disabled passengers in emergencies and carry out evacuations. Northern's latest
message to their own staff that the company no longer wish to provide this
protection and assistance for older and disabled passengers is an absolute
scandal and rolls the clock back on the rights of older and disabled people. The
only way Northern Rail can get away with their cuts is if the rail regulator
agrees to the changes. We are calling on the regulator's Chief Executive, Joanna
Whittington, to make it crystal clear she has no intention of agreeing Northern
Rail's plans to weaken protection and assistance for older and disabled people."
|
