NO DOO ON SCOTRAIL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march/april 2024 :: RMTnews 4 Over a hundred conductors on Scotrail are being balloted for strike action over Driver Only Operation (DOO) trains which will close on April 11. Bosses at the Scottish government-run train company have said that Barrhead and East Kilbride routes can run services without a second member of staff at the discretion of the driver. Convenor of the RMT’s Scottish Parliamentary Group Richard Leonard MSP told a rally that guards on trains were not an added extra. “They are an essential part of running a safe and accessible railway, providing assistance to passengers and life-saving help in the case of an emergency. "It is not good enough for the Scottish government to wash its hands and say it is an 'operational matter' for ScotRail. The government now owns ScotRail, so it is fully responsible for how this public transport service is run,” he said. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch warned that Scotrail were trying to sneak through DOO via the backdoor by putting train drivers in a difficult positon, giving them the power to decide whether a train runs or not without a second staff member on board. "It is important for safety and the comfort of passengers that a second person is on these Scotrail services and we will resist all attempts to endanger our members jobs. "The Scottish government needs to make an intervention to stop DOO on the Barrhead and East Kilbride routes taking place. "Members will be incensed at the behaviour of Scotrail bosses and we are confident they will deliver a strong mandate for strike action,” he said. The company has proposed to maintain the driver and conductor model of operation on the Barrhead and East Kilbride route. However, this comes with the following caveats: • The driver will operate train doors - this means the driver will be responsible both opening and closing the doors. • The conductor would remain on those services and focus on customer service duties, including but not limited to, proactive revenue collection and customer assistance. The conductor would play no part in the opening and closing of doors. Scotrail has also offered to increase the ticket examiner staff numbers on the SMA services. However, the company has stated that “there may be occasions when the driver considers it safe to proceed without a second member of staff available. The decision will always be made by the driver”. The union responded that it was clearly a direct attack on the safety critical role of the guard and a dilution of the responsibility and importance of a safety critical second person on board Scotrail services. “The introduction of DOO is not only a breach to existing agreements, but also an open attack on Scotrail members who undertake a vital service for vulnerable passengers and all Scotrail users. “I urge members to vote 'YES' for strike action and industrial action short of a strike,” said Mick Lynch. RMT launches strike ballot on Scotrail over plans to introduce Driver-Only Operation NO DOO ON SCOTRAIL CAMPAIGN: left to right Scottish regional council secretary Jim Gray, NEC member Willie Strang, Colin Symth Labour MSP, Mark Griffin Labour MSP Mary-Jane Herbison, Richard Leonard Labour MSP and RMT parliamentary convenor, RMT regional organiser Mick Hogg and Pam Duncan- Glancy Labour MSP.