Rail Strike: Unions call for 'summit' to break deadlock over train guard row

The RMT has offered to meet with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and the train companies to resolve the dispute

Commuters will face further walkouts in the ongoing row about train drivers (AFP)

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has called for a special “summit” to try to break the deadlock on the dispute over driver-only trains which threatens to cause mass disruption to the train network as thousands of drivers walk out.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash has written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling proposing the meeting with the Department for Transport and the train companies to resolve the dispute over driver-only trains.

The suggestion came as union members working for Southern, Arriva Rail North, Merseyrail, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway launched a fresh wave of strikes on Monday morning which will disrupt services.

Commuters on Southern Rail have been warned that staff will be out on strike on 8 January for 24 hours. RMT members on South Western Railway, Greater Anglia, Merseyrail, Arriva Rail North and the Isle of Wight’s Island Line will also walk out on Monday for 24 hours but will hold additional strikes on 10 and 12 January.

The RMT said the meeting could consider how the principles of the agreements the union has reached in Scotland and Wales, which will keep guards on new trains, can be applied to the current disputes while meeting any concerns the Department for Transport and train companies have about future train services.

Mr Cash said: “I last met Chris Grayling on 12 December, where we were told the train companies were free to negotiate deals like we have reached in Scotland and Wales where the guard has been retained but I then subsequently received a letter from Chris Grayling asking the union to accept the principle of driver-only trains.

“In light of this lack of clarity, and the contradictory messages emanating from the Government, I have been seeking further talks with the Secretary of State but unfortunately have not had a positive response to that request.

“I have therefore written to Chris Grayling proposing a summit which could also be presided over by an agreed independent chair and which would consider how the principles of the agreements RMT have recently reached in Scotland and Wales, which will keep the guard on new modern trains, can be applied to the current disputes whilst at the same time meeting any concerns the Department for Transport and train companies have about future train services.

“I have told the Secretary of State that agreements have been reached in Scotland and Wales for safe, secure and accessible modern services and that with good will on all sides we can reach an agreement in England as well.”

The RMT has previously said it has made “every single effort” to resolve the dispute which it says is about safety. It says plans to make trains driver-only – meaning drivers will need to get off the train and ensure all doors are shut before departure – are unsafe and the additional presence of guards is “safety critical”.

But rail companies such as Southern have previously said that giving drivers responsibility for closing doors gives guards more time to help passengers and keep them safe. They also say it will allow trains to depart promptly when no guards are available.

In Junw 2016, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said they had “found no evidence to suggest that driver-only operated trains cannot be dispatched safely”.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The way to resolve any dispute is through talks. We urge the Government to respond positively to the RMT’s proposal for a summit involving the RMT, relevant companies and the Department for Transport.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Despite the best efforts of the RMT to cause misery for passengers, the train companies will keep passengers moving with the majority of services running as planned.

“This dispute is not about safety and no-one is losing their job – employees have been guaranteed jobs and salaries for several years.

“At Southern Rail, where these changes have already been introduced, there are now more staff dedicated to working on trains than previously.

“The independent rail regulator has stated unequivocally that driver-controlled trains, which have been used in this country for more than thirty years, are safe.”

Additional reporting by PA