This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37471302
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Virgin East Coast rail staff to strike on 3 October | Virgin East Coast rail staff to strike on 3 October |
(35 minutes later) | |
Workers on Virgin Trains East Coast are to stage a 24-hour strike on Monday 3 October, the RMT union has announced. | Workers on Virgin Trains East Coast are to stage a 24-hour strike on Monday 3 October, the RMT union has announced. |
The union said the action was being taken over threatened job cuts, as well as disputes over working conditions and safety. | The union said the action was being taken over threatened job cuts, as well as disputes over working conditions and safety. |
It said talks aimed at resolving the issues had failed and staff had been instructed not to work any shifts between 00:01 and 23:59 BST on the day. | It said talks aimed at resolving the issues had failed and staff had been instructed not to work any shifts between 00:01 and 23:59 BST on the day. |
Virgin Trains said it would be running a full timetable during the strike. | Virgin Trains said it would be running a full timetable during the strike. |
Virgin Trains East Coast, which operates services between London, the North East and Scotland, said it was making changes to customer-facing roles which would "see a single person take responsibility for the customer experience on our trains". | Virgin Trains East Coast, which operates services between London, the North East and Scotland, said it was making changes to customer-facing roles which would "see a single person take responsibility for the customer experience on our trains". |
The RMT union claims the measures would lead to job cuts and impact on working conditions and safety measures which currently ensure a guard on every train. | The RMT union claims the measures would lead to job cuts and impact on working conditions and safety measures which currently ensure a guard on every train. |
It said nearly 200 jobs were threatened by the cuts and remaining staff would be expected to cover the extra work. | It said nearly 200 jobs were threatened by the cuts and remaining staff would be expected to cover the extra work. |
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT will not sit back while nearly 200 members' jobs are under threat and while conditions and safety are put at risk by a franchise which is clearly in financial trouble. | RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT will not sit back while nearly 200 members' jobs are under threat and while conditions and safety are put at risk by a franchise which is clearly in financial trouble. |
"We will also not tolerate the cavalier attitude to safety that is now on show as the company mobilises its scab army of managers." | "We will also not tolerate the cavalier attitude to safety that is now on show as the company mobilises its scab army of managers." |
Workers on Virgin Trains East Coast had planned three 24-hour strikes for August after 84% of workers voted in favour of a walk-out. | |
The industrial action was suspended after the RMT and Virgin Trains agreed to continue negotiations. | |
'Good faith' | |
Mr Cash added: "The union suspended an earlier programme of action when it looked like serious progress was being made in talks but that process has now failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion and we are back into industrial action as a result. | |
"We have been shocked at the way the company have led us up the garden path when we entered talks in good faith." | |
Virgin Trains said the changes would have "no impact" on safety and had assured the union there would be no compulsory redundancies. | Virgin Trains said the changes would have "no impact" on safety and had assured the union there would be no compulsory redundancies. |
It announced it had a "detailed contingency plan" that meant it could operate a full timetable during the strike. | |
David Horne, Virgin Trains East Coast managing director, said: "With our guarantees that there will be no compulsory redundancies, no impact on safety and a full timetable in place during the walk-outs, these strikes will cost RMT members pay for no reason, and we urge the union to rejoin us around the negotiating table." | David Horne, Virgin Trains East Coast managing director, said: "With our guarantees that there will be no compulsory redundancies, no impact on safety and a full timetable in place during the walk-outs, these strikes will cost RMT members pay for no reason, and we urge the union to rejoin us around the negotiating table." |