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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2017 :: RMTnews
12
RMT called off a ballot of
London Midland conductors
after the company dropped
plans to place security
contractors on trains.
Towards the end of last year
the union went into dispute
with London Midland over the
company’s decision to impose
security contractors on trains
without any agreement with
the union.
However union negotiators
reported that London Midland
had ceased the use of security
contractors with effect from
last month.
The union also has received
written assurances from the
company confirming this
position.
As a result of this important
breakthrough RMT’s national
executive committee cancelled
the ballot for industrial action
and a dispute situation no
longer exists.
RMT general secretary Mick
Cash said that it was a massive
victory for members on
London Midland who had
supported the union 100 per
cent throughout the campaign.
“That solidarity has been
instrumental in the
breakthrough secured.
“The imposition of external
contractors that have no
additional skills or powers of
authority to remove unruly
passengers or fare dodgers is
something we are totally
opposed to.
“Our members were fearful
that even minor issues will
escalate out of control when
these security contractors don’t
have the appropriate training,
skills or knowledge for
working within a customer
service environment like our
members do.
"RMT remains eternally
vigilant in the on-going fight
to stop the casualisation of rail
workers jobs and any moves
that undermine permanent
staffing arrangements.
"Safety and security on our
trains can only be secured by
adequate numbers of
conductors, directly employed
by the company, working as
part of professionally trained
and equipped team,” he said.
LONDON MIDLAND
CONDUCTOR VICTORY
Union defeats imposition of security
contractors on trains