RMT repeats call to withdraw threat to axe guards in light of election result

Rail Union RMT

Rail Union RMT confirmed today that it's executive will be considering the next steps this week in disputes on Southern, Northern and Merseyrail over the axing of guards and the ‎impact on safe, accessible and reliable services.

The union has repeated it's call to the train companies to drop their plans in light of the election result which has confirmed that there is no national mandate to rip up the rail safety rule book.

RMT will be taking soundings from local officials and members in each of the three disputes this week as it considers tactics in light of the seismic political shifts over the past few days which have shifted the landscape irreversibly.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said: “RMT's disputes on Southern, Northern and Merseyrail not only remain on but are now right at the top of the national transport agenda as the chaotic, minority Tory Government lurches from chaos to crisis. The train companies pursuing the politically-motivated drive to rip apart the safety culture on our railways should wake up to the new reaility and pull their plans with immediate effect. We have written to them and we are awaiting their response.

“RMT is demanding that the axing of the guards is reversed and the union will ‎challenge Theresa May and the transport ministers in her minority government every step of the way as we jack up the fight to put safety and access to services before private profit and greed.”

"RMT will also ramp up the campaign for public ownership of the railways as the consequences of the election result sink in. The union will issue further statements in due course."