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Another Merseyrail Strike
set to take place in October
RMT said that the TUC's members have
voted unanimous, passing a motion promising to maximise support for Merseyrail
and workers on Southern, Northern, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway in
the disputes on Merseyrail and other franchises over driver only operated
trains. RMT strike action will take place, on 3 October and 5 October 2017.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "RMT welcomes the unanimous support
of the entire Trade Union movement for our campaigns to keep the guards on our
trains which now stretch right across the country. The Government and their
private rail contractors need to understand that we have national support from
millions of workers for the fight to put rail safety before private profit. This
unanimous vote is a massage shot in the arm for RMT's national campaign to
defend the guards on our trains."
Frank Rogers Merseytravel Chief Executive said:- "It is very disappointing
that the RMT has decided to strike while the transformational upgrade of Lime
Street mainline station, designed to help make the Liverpool City Region a
better place to live, work and attract investment and jobs, is taking place. he
RMT has made a point of targeting key events in the City Region calendar and
seems to want to continue to disrupt the travelling public by calling the
strikes during the Lime Street works. It is clear that their London based
Executive are prepared to sacrifice growth and development in Liverpool to
support their position in the South on what is a very different networks to
ours. We have been working with key City Region stakeholders to present a strong
message that our City Region will be open for business during the Lime Street
works. As with previous strikes Merseytravel, together with transport operators,
are working on robust contingency plans and these will be published as soon as
possible so that passengers can plan their journeys. Merseyrail has confirmed
its open door policy with the unions. I would urge the RMT to take up this offer
and get back round the table so that we can bring this needless dispute and
disruption to our passengers to an end."
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