HULL TRAINS AND SOME GRAND CENTRAL SERVICES RESUME

RMT welcomed the re-launch of Hull Trains and some Grand Central Services last month and called for the same level of support for open access providers that franchise companies have benefited from to provide stability and end the stop-start approach that has blighted both services. Both companies have experienced job losses in recent times and RMT remains committed to alleviating any further cuts and to working hard to find alternative positions for those affected by the staffing reductions by putting in place structures to provide on-going support for anyone affected, including for any fixed term contract staff who have also lost jobs. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that Covid 19 had been an incredibly challenging time for the rail industry – but probably more so for the open access sectors like Hull Trains and Grand Central who to date have not received the same government support as franchised train operators. “It is good to see these services both back on track, providing an essential link between the North East, Yorkshire, Humberside and London. “Our members will be incredibly pleased to see the start up of the services and look forward to their expansion to full timetable as soon as possible. It is a tribute to their efforts and those of our reps, officers, the union’s campaigning and political support from local MPs that we have this positive news. “Sadly, both companies have experienced unnecessary job losses in recent times and RMT remains committed to alleviating any job losses, working hard to fully support and to find alternative positions for those affected.   “Services operated by both Grand Central and Hull Trains are essential to the communities they serve and the provision of good communication links between London and the North: Sunderland and Bradford for Grand Central and Humberside for Hull Trains. “Both services will be crucial for boosting the economy and tourism and helping in the fight against climate change.  “It is clearly in the public interest that these rail links are sustained and developed and for that to happen there should be no more stop start. Both operators should instead be given the support needed to guarantee future stability,” he said. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2021 :: RMTnews 9 at risk come January whilst its operations are being fully funded by public money under its Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement. “Had SWR retained the contract, these jobs could have been protected under the Job Retention Scheme until at least April 2021. “The DfT cannot sit by and allow SWR to make these damaging cuts, while at the same time agreeing to pay it a management fee that could be worth in the region of £24m overall. “Passengers and taxpayers will be shocked to hear that SWR stands to make a profit from its publicly funded management fee whilst axing a key service that will worsen the passenger experience and put more than 130 people out of work in a matter of days.   “The government must take action now to permanently protect all catering jobs and services on SWR. All future public funding for SWR must be dependent on retention of on-board catering,” he said. The SWR ERMA has been in place since September 2020, and is in place to the end of March 2021. It can be extended by a further half year at the DfT’s discretion, bringing the total possible ERMA period to 12 months. The calculations for management fee, below, have been made on the basis that the ERMA will run for 12 months. HULL TRAINS AND SOME GRAND CENTRAL SERVICES RESUME RE-LAUNCH: RMT regional organiser Craig Johnston joined RMT staff rep and Senior Conductor John Dike on the 8.44 Grand Central from Sunderland to London Kings Cross on December 3, the day Grand Central and Hull Trains re-launched their services.