GUARD GUARANTEE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2019 :: RMTnews 4 RMT has suspended the on- going programme of strike action on Arriva Rail Northern and South Western Railway following significant progress over the retention and the role of the guard on trains. Through the talks process the company has now offered a guarantee of a guard on the South Western Railway services that have been in dispute. Substantial progress in talks through the offices of ACAS has also allowed the union’s executive to suspend the on- going programme of strike action on Northern Rail over the retention and the role of the guard on their trains. Through the talks process the company has now offered a guarantee of a conductor on all trains, including the new fleet, for the duration of the current franchise. The guarantee is supported by the Department for Transport. Further talks, will now seek agreements on operational models moving forwards. RMT general secretary Mick Cash paid tribute to RMT members on Northern Rail whose resilience and determination through 47 days of action has been the foundation on which this major breakthrough has been based. “They are an absolute credit to both this union and the wider movement. “I also want to thank the travelling public for their extraordinary support and both Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram for their efforts that have been important in allowing us to break the deadlock today. “The offer of a guarantee of a conductor on all services throughout the duration of the franchise, including the new fleet, is the substantial progress we have been pushing for and has allowed RMT to suspend the current action and allow for further talks to now take place around the operational details,” he said. South Western Railway also confirmed that on the introduction of any new or other modified rolling stock, each passenger train shall operate with a guard with safety critical competencies. Specific safety critical competencies shall be agreed by SWR and RMT. Under the deal all rolling stock train dispatch shall be subject to undertaking a safety risk assessment, on a station by station basis. This assessment will be completed with the involvement of company and trade union representatives utilising the agreed PTI assessment method already in place in the company, in GUARD GUARANTEE RMT secures a guard guarantee on Arrive Rail Northern and South Western Railways after two years of struggle