24-hour strike to hit Northern railways once again
Rail union RMT has confirmed that it was overseeing another 24-hour strike on Arriva Rail North in an ongoing dispute over driver-only operations.
The strikes are set for Tuesday, May 30 and are the latest in a series of clashes between RMT and operator Arriva.
RMT says that the company is planning to introduce a minimum of 50% driver-controlled operations across the franchise once new rolling stock is introduced. The union said it was angry and frustrated that the company had “rejected” attempts to settle the dispute.
It says political support is growing, listing councils in Sheffield, Doncaster, York, Wakefield, Cumbria, Liverpool and Salford as formal opponents to the plans.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “The sheer intransigence of Arriva Rail North means that we have no option but to confirm a further 24 hours of strike action.
“The responsibility for the inevitable disruption lies wholly with the company. We are angry and frustrated that Arriva continue to face up to the facts and also continue to ignore a perfectly reasonable union proposal to invite the DfT to join us in three way talks aimed at finding a solution.
“The union continues to remain available for meaningful discussions with the company in order to seek a satisfactory resolution to the on-going dispute.”
Richard Allan, Northern’s deputy managing director, said: “It is frustrating for us and our customers that RMT has announced further strike action for Tuesday 30 May.
“We urge RMT to get back round the table with us for open-minded, meaningful talks on the role they can play in delivering the modern railway that people of the North want and deserve.
“We want to protect jobs and current pay and, as we have said before, are willing to offer future, annual pay reviews for existing conductors if we can agree a deal. RMT’s dispute will not be solved by unnecessary strike action – but instead by working with us to deliver the modern trains, services and stations our customers want.”
