FIGHTING FOR STATION STAFF

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2026 :: RMTnews 13 D elegates to the organising conference for station grades meeting in Wakefield backed a call for a recruitment campaign. Alan Pottage, Nottingham said that the conference organising committee should spearhead the campaign to recruit and retain members covered by the grade. Backing the union’s Action Against Assaults campaign, Ross Marshall, Central Line West said that the death of RMT member Jorge Ortega on London Underground had had a devastating impact. “We know that the increase in violent attacks against transport workers is due to the de-staffing of stations and British Transport Police cuts,” he said. He called for statistics to be used to expose the impact of job cuts and unstaffed stations and to make the case for staffing and safety. “We need to campaign for tougher laws regarding assaults in front line stations and revenue staff,” he said. Chevelle Jacobs, East London Rail said that it was time to act against assaults. “I have had to deal with the consequences of violence at work and the impact it has had on the families. “We have to say enough is enough as I don’t want to go through that again and again,” she said. RMT assistant general secretary John Leach also backed calls to tackle the growing problem of assaults across the transport sector. “It is not only about assaults but living with the fear of assault simply in the act of going to work. “That is why this union’s Action Against Assaults campaign is crucial to raise violence against transport workers as a social and political problem which needs to be dealt with,” he said. He also spoke out against the “the scourge of outsourcing” which had created a two-tier workforce. “Agency workers are on less pay and worse terms and conditions often without sick pay and pensions. “We need to hold this government to account on its promise to insource agency workers as a part of the creation of GBR,” he said. Peter Clifford, Manchester South said that many train operating companies had been unable or unwilling to bring contract dispatchers in- house despite agreements to do so. “This really brings into question the ability for a smooth transition into Great British Railways (GBR), as these director level managers are unable to resolve what should be a relatively simple undertaking. “We must ask the question, will we ever see the ‘wave of insourcing’ Labour promised, when these TOCs cannot even insource relatively small groups of workers? “Outsourcing divides and weakens the workforce and the union. “We need to put pressure on the train operating companies to bring outsourced workers into direct employment,” he said. Conference also backed calls for workers not to suffer due to the introduction of new technology by employers. Keiran Ali, Central Line West said that new technology should only be introduced with the agreement of the union. “Every piece of new technology should include an expectation that it should not be imposed by the employer,” he said. Peter Whitelegg, Waltham Cross said that rapid digital transformation including the use of artificial intelligence and automation was being driven by cost-cutting agendas. “Technology should be a matter for negotiation, and these principles must be embedded within the development of Great British Railways. “Any digital transition must guarantee job security, upskilling and fair distribution of the benefits of new technology,” he said. Keith Miller, Central & North Mersey said that TOCs should have a dedicated GDPR officer to oversee data protection particularly in the use of CCTV images. “Such moves would block any unscrupulous managers from fishing for instances that could be used to discipline workers. “When staff are being viewed for whatever reason, they should be informed by GDPR officers,” he said. FIGHTING FOR STATION STAFF Station grades call for action on assaults and outsourcing