RMT preparing to ballot it’s members for strike action
THE RAIL WORKER’S UNION has insisted that it is balloting for strike action between May and June in order to prevent the extension of changes to train services it believes are dangerous to the public.
The RMT has provided Abellio, which owns Scotrail, with notice of a ballot for strike action, voting for which will open on 24 May and close on 7 June for train guards.
The RMT regional organiser in charge of the issue, Mick Hogg, told CommonSpace that strike action may be necessary because the union had not received promises that there would be no extension of driver-only operation trains when new rolling stock is introduced in 18 months time.
He said: “We want assurance from Scotrail that the guard will remain on the train and in control of the doors. It’s fundamentally a safety issue.
Most Scotrail trains currently have their doors operated by conductors or guards who receive extensive evacuation and other safety training for the eventuality of accidents.
“If for some unfortunate reason the train is involved in a derailment or collision, the guard is the only person who is trained for safety purposes. Only the guard and driver can contact the emergency services.
“We want Scottish trains to remain safe.”
Most Scotrail trains currently have their doors operated by conductors or guards who receive extensive evacuation and other safety training for the eventuality of accidents.
The union has met with the train operator on several occasions to make clear it’s opposition to an increase in the amount of rolling stock with driver operated doors.
Scotrail has insisted it has not yet made any proposals to extend the number of driver operated trains.
A Scotrail spokesperson told CommonSpace: “No proposals to extend the current operation have been tabled. We have ideas that can guarantee conductor roles and ensure no redundancies for conductors but these have not been discussed with RMT yet. We want talks not strikes.”
Abellion took over the Scotrail franchise in April 2015.
Picture courtesy Colin Nicholson