RMT
guard members are still set to strike next Monday in protest at the reduction
of their safety duties despite talks with the train operating companies.
Monday’s
action by 5,500 guard members will be the first of two 24-hour strikes, the
second taking place on July 4.
RMT
is demanding that a guard remains on all trains, with the driver protecting the
front and the guard the rear. It is also calling for safety responsibilities to
be put before commercial duties such as revenue collection.
Members
in 20 train operating companies voted for strike action with an overall
majority of 4:1.
“If
they agree to support our demands for operational train crew safety, we will be
able to exert joint pressure upon Railtrack to reinstate the Rule Book changes
that were in force before the Ladbroke Grove disaster in October 1999.
“The
Rule Book as it now stands reduces guards’ safety duties and adds to the
responsibilities of drivers – and could lead to tragic consequences in the
event of another rail crash”, said Bob Crow, RMT Assistant General Secretary.
Aslef
said it would be in dispute with any company that removes guards from trains.
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