KEEP THE GAURD PETITION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2017 :: RMTnews 6 R MT members on Stage- coach South West buses have voted overwhelm- ingly for action over a pay dispute. Nearly 80 per cent voted for strike action whilst nearly 90 per cent voted for industrial action short of a strike. Members are angry that the company has tabled a pay and conditions package that doesn’t even keep pace with the Retail Price Index and which would condemn a key group of transport staff who are already on low pay levels to a de facto pay cut. The dispute involves over 750 bus drivers, cleaners and engineering grades at the Exeter, Torquay and Barnstaple garages. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that bus workers in the region provided an essential service across a wide geographical area and they deserved a fair deal on pay. “At the moment they are being offered a package that stacks up to a de-facto pay cut and the union has agreed with local branches that that is entirely unacceptable. “RMT negotiators have made every effort in talks to reach a negotiated settlement but the company have come up well short of what our members deserve for the hard work they put in day in and day out,” he said. The precise industrial action to be taken will be announced in due course. H uge numbers of the public to date have signed up to a petition begun by a young female passenger who has praised a Merseyrail guard who came to her assistance to protect her from a predatory passenger. The petition by Ellie Ward on the 38 Degrees website outlined an incident while she was travelling on a Mersey rail train to Ellesmere Port in which the guard protected her and other vulnerable passengers. The guard noticed how a man had been following passengers down the train in a suspicious manner. “If it wasn't for the guard being very vigilant and observing what was going on I wouldn't know what could have happened to myself or the other lady, especially due to the past few days there has been a number of sexual assaults. “My boyfriend was waiting for me just over the bridge who then took the other lady home so she was safe. “This is why we need the train guards to protect those who maybe vulnerable on trains and to diffuse any situation that may happen. “This is why We need to say NO to driver-only trains, I am very grateful to that guard and the way Merseyrail dealt with the situation. “Why is saving money and cuts more important than people's safety?” https://you.38degrees.org.uk/ petitions/say-no-to-driver-only- trains-keep-the-guards R MT members on Greater Anglia have voted overwhelmingly for action over the extension of Driver Only Operation and the clear threat to passenger safety, following the company's continuing refusal to guarantee the role of the guard throughout the length of the franchise. RMT balloted both drivers and guard members and over 200 Greater Anglia guards, on a whopping 90 per cent turn out, have voted by a massive nine to one for strike action. The drivers vote was two to one for action on a 75 per cent turnout. Despite repeated efforts by RMT in both face-to-face meetings and correspondence Abellio has failed to provide union reps with the assurances they sort with respect to the role and responsibilities of the guards for the length of the current Greater Anglia franchise. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that Greater Anglia had been given every opportunity to give a guarantee on the future role of the guard on their services. “They have failed to do so and that left us with no alternative but to move to a ballot in the interests of rail safety. "Our members have now voted by massive majorities for action and it's now down to the company to wake up and seize the opportunity to give us the very simple assurances on the future of the guards and the guarantee of a second safety- critical member of staff on current services,” he said. KEEP THE GUARD PETITION ACTION AT GREATER ANGLIA OVER GUARD THREAT STRIKE ACTION AT SOUTH WEST BUSES K E E P T H E T R A I N S A F E KEEP THE GUARD ON THE TRAIN