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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2023 :: RMTnews
6
Following a massive response
to the union’s campaign to
prevent over 1,000 ticket
offices being axed the
consultations has been
extended to September 1.
The union has been
inundated by public support
for its petitions as well as
taking part in in more
campaigning days throughout
August.
As a result, RMT called for
the closure plans and the
wholly inadequate
consultation process to be
abandoned and announced
that it was considering legally
challenging it in the courts.
Rail workers are also being
told to stop wearing ‘save our
ticket offices’ stickers or face
disciplinary action as the
campaign gains public
support for station staff jobs.
The union warned that it
will escalate its industrial
response to any threat to dock
pay or discipline staff for
campaigning to save their
jobs.
Writing to train operator
LNER, RMT general secretary
Mick Lynch said that the union
had very disturbing reports
that members were being
threatened with disciplinary
action and being sent home
without pay as a result of
them wearing “save our ticket
offices” stickers.
"Threatening staff who are
fighting for their very futures
and for the services they
provide in this way is a quite
disgraceful tactic to use and I
can advise you that any moves
to discipline any RMT member
for having a simple statement
on a sticker will be met with a
full industrial response.
"I would therefore ask that
any disciplinary threats are
withdrawn and that you will
assure your staff their
democratic right to have their
opinion heard on this
extremely important matter
will be respected,” the letter
said.
RMT has also received
reports from members
Northern, Greater Anglia and
GTR where rail bosses have
interfered with campaigns and
removed petitions and
materials from stations.
On the back of the
announcement of plans to cut
ticket offices, train operating
companies have been issuing
statutory redundancy notices
for hundreds of railway
workers which represents the
removal of many jobs,
something RMT will fiercely
oppose.
"The decision to close up
to 1,000 ticket offices and to
Northwich with MP Michael Amesbury - Weaver Vale
END THE TICKET
OFFICE MASSACRE
Union calls for plans to remove all rail ticket offices in
England to be abandoned
Fenchurch Street