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Fresh rail strikes announced for 30 May | Fresh rail strikes announced for 30 May |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three rail companies are to stage strikes on 30 May, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has said. | Three rail companies are to stage strikes on 30 May, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has said. |
Members of the RMT at Southern Railway, Merseyrail and Northern (Arriva Rail North) will walk out on 30 May. | Members of the RMT at Southern Railway, Merseyrail and Northern (Arriva Rail North) will walk out on 30 May. |
The 24-hour strike is the latest in a bitter dispute over staffing and plans to introduce new driver-operated-only (DOO) trains in 2020. | The 24-hour strike is the latest in a bitter dispute over staffing and plans to introduce new driver-operated-only (DOO) trains in 2020. |
It will be the 32nd day of industrial action by Southern workers, who started taking holding strikes a year ago. | It will be the 32nd day of industrial action by Southern workers, who started taking holding strikes a year ago. |
Talks on Monday between the RMT and Southern were adjourned for both sides to "consider their positions". | Talks on Monday between the RMT and Southern were adjourned for both sides to "consider their positions". |
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which owns Southern, wants to replace conductors with "on board supervisors" (OBS) to work across different services but without the responsibility of closing doors - which would switch to train drivers. | |
The union said its decision to announce fresh action comes in response to Southern revealing during Monday's negotiations that more than 8,000 trains a year will run without an OBS. | |
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, added: "That represents a serious safety and accessibility risk and short of the guarantee of a second safety qualified member of staff." | |
Andy Bindon, a director at GTR, said it was "hugely disappointed" with the strike, and added: "The RMT's proposals would mean cancelling trains and reducing service levels to our passengers. | |
"Our service levels are stabilising at the highest we've seen in years and we cannot agree to anything which will jeopardise running trains and the service to our passengers." | |
'Angry and frustrated' | |
In its dispute with Northern, Mr Cash said the union was "angry and frustrated" with the company's planned policy of a minimum of 50% DOO trains. | |
Richard Allan, deputy managing director of Northern, said changes needed to be made to the on-board role as the railway is modernised. | |
He added: "We believe we would keep a second person on many of our services and, at some locations, we may choose to staff the station to give better support to customers." | |
The rail firm is also offering to protect workers' jobs and pay, and offer annual pay reviews for existing conductors if a deal is agreed. |