SETTLE/CARLISLE RAIL STAFF STRIKE AGAIN OVER REDUNDANCIES

S taff employed by the Settle and Carlisle Railway Development Company - providing at-seat catering on Northern Rail services between Carlisle and Settle – took further strike action last month in a continuing row over compulsory redundancies. The action follows two rock- solid 24 hour strikes which attracted wide-ranging support and excellent media coverage for the union’s campaign. RMT’s grievance is with the company - set up for sustainable and economic development along the line – which has declared the compulsory redundancy situation. Yet the company is doing well financially so there is no economic reason for the redundancy situation. The union described the redundancy announcement as a “kick in the teeth for hard- working and loyal staff” as RMT has a proud history being involved in the campaign to save the line and supporting its development. The Settle–Carlisle Line is a part of the National Rail network and all passenger trains are operated by Northern Rail. RMT has been extremely supportive of the trolley catering service because the union knows it enhances the passenger experience of the journey. RMT general secretary Mick Cash congratulated members for their determination and solidarity and warned that the union has no option but to put on a third phase of action. “Astonishingly the company has sited potential rail franchise changes in 2016 as a reason for the compulsory redundancy now, when the specifications for the rail franchises are still not known and the franchises themselves will not actually be let for some considerable time. “Despite numerous requests to look at alternatives to compulsory redundancy the company has pressed ahead but the union remains available for further talks,” he said. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2015 :: RMTnews 4 PICKET: A snow-swept Appleby-in-Westmorland where RMT members employed by the Settle and Carlisle Development Company held a third day of rock solid strike action against the compulsory redundancy of a work colleague. RMT has also revealed that over since October around 80 trains have gone out with no catering facilities due to the company failing to cover the jobs on non-strike days. Since the compulsory redundancy of the catering manager the services have slipped into complete chaos. R MT is joining forces with rail users to save services which are under threat between Wrexham and Birmingham and Shrewsbury. RMT and the Shrewsbury to Chester Rail Users Association (SCRUA), which has represented the travelling public using the line since 1986, understands that the current franchise holder, Arriva Trains Wales, is investigating plans to axe the 0747 Wrexham to Birmingham rail service from the timetable from May. Also facing the chop is the 0700 from Shrewsbury which arrives in Wrexham at 0739. As the SCRUA campaign group points out, the 0747 from Wrexham calls at Ruabon, Chirk, and Gobowen and provides an important and busy direct service for commuters and students from north east Wales to the West Midlands and Birmingham Airport. Records show that there has always been a train to Birmingham at around the same time, even in Great Western days when it ran to Paddington. It is now being proposed that the Holyhead to Cardiff ‘Premier’ express service, which currently runs non-stop between Wrexham and Shrewsbury, should stop additionally at Ruabon, Chirk and Gobowen. But it runs 15 minutes earlier and passengers for the Birmingham line would face delay to their journeys through having to change at Shrewsbury. RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said that the union stood shoulder to shoulder with the SCRUA users group in their fight to save services. “We know that this campaign also enjoys high profile political support and the union will be looking to maximise that through our own contacts. “The train company needs to listen to the rail users and the staff and pull back from these ill-conceived plans before lasting damage is done to highly-valued and important services,” he said. SETTLE/CARLISLE RAIL STAFF STRIKE AGAIN OVER REDUNDANCIES WREXHAM RAIL SERVICES UNDER THREAT