SOUTHERN PROTEST

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2019 :: RMTnews 4 R MT and supporters marked the third anniversary of RMT strike action on Southern Rail against driver-only operation – Britain’s longest running industrial dispute – by protesting outside Keolis UK headquarters in London. Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP addressed the crowds which included Southern guards and RMT banners from across the country. “We will put a guard on every Southern train as part of the process of bringing the railways back into public ownership,” he said. Other speakers that brought messages of support were Paul Peters of Disabled Peoples Against the Cuts, Association of British Commuters rep Summer Dean and Unite general secretary Len McCluskey. RMT also warned of “mass transport discrimination” against disabled passengers on Southern Rail services. The union revealed that at least 15,000 Southern Rail services have run without a second person on board since the introduction of driver only operated services in 2017, according to new figures provided by official parliamentary answers. With the majority of Southern stations unstaffed RMT has warned that mass discrimination is taking place against older and disabled passengers who now no longer have the guarantee of a second member of staff to assist them, including being table to turn up and go and travel on the train of their choice. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has recently has warned that that “the shift to DOO trains, with the SOUTHERN PROTEST Third anniversary of guards fight on Southern marked with protest outside French state-owned Keolis UK headquarters