Merseyrail climbs down in guards dispute

Merseyrail and the RMT union have agreed, in principle, to retain guards on the network’s trains.

It ends a dispute that has lasted more than a year and caused disruption to commuters through a series of stoppages.

The deal to retain a second person on the train was agreed through the conciliation agency ACAS – but it will probably result in higher fares to pay for the extra member of staff on Merseyrail’s new fleet of trains which is due to be introduced in 2021.

It is understood there is no provision for a guard’s cab on the new trains.

The deal with the RMT will still require the driver to operate the doors and dispatch the train.

A formal agreement will now be worked on over the coming months, but the RMT has agreed to continue its suspension of industrial action while this takes place.

Merseyrail had originally pledged that no guards would lose their jobs, and this still stands.

Dispensing with the guard’s traditional duties was seen, in some quarters, as reducing the risk of any possible future industrial action by the RMT.

Merseyrail’s agreement with the union could have implications for other train operators, such as Northern, which is involved in a similar dispute with the union.

Northern is currently affected by a series of one-day stoppages on Saturdays which has seen services severely curtailed.

A joint statement from all parties said: “The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Merseyrail and the RMT Union have today agreed in principle that, subject to the provision and approval of an appropriate, affordable and sustainable funding package, the new fleet of Merseyrail trains, will have a second member of staff on board the train.

“In order to pay for a second member of staff on each train additional funding will now need to be generated.

“Productivity proposals have come forward from the ACAS process that will cover some of the required funding, however, additional means will also need to be considered by all parties, which could include an enhanced crackdown on fare evasion and increased fares.

“The design of the new trains proposes that the door control and dispatch of the trains will transfer to the driver. No-one currently employed as a guard will lose their employment as a result of the introduction of the new fleet in 2021.

“All parties will now undertake the detailed work required to develop a full proposed agreement, which will take some months and will require compromise on all sides.

“An element of this will be agreeing the role and safety responsibilities of this second member of staff as part of the process.

“The current business case will need to be revisited. Whilst this takes place and until dialogue has been completed there will be no further industrial action.”