Another Merseyrail Strike set to take place in October

RMT said that the TUC's members have voted unanimous, passing a motion promising to maximise support for Merseyrail and workers on Southern, Northern, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway in the disputes on Merseyrail and other franchises over driver only operated trains. RMT strike action will take place, on 3 October and 5 October 2017. RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "RMT welcomes the unanimous support of the entire Trade Union movement for our campaigns to keep the guards on our trains which now stretch right across the country. The Government and their private rail contractors need to understand‎ that we have national support from millions of workers for the fight to put rail safety before private profit. This unanimous vote is a massage shot in the arm for RMT's national campaign to defend the guards on our trains."

Frank Rogers Merseytravel Chief Executive said:- "It is very disappointing that the RMT has decided to strike while the transformational upgrade of Lime Street mainline station, designed to help make the Liverpool City Region a better place to live, work and attract investment and jobs, is taking place. he RMT has made a point of targeting key events in the City Region calendar and seems to want to continue to disrupt the travelling public by calling the strikes during the Lime Street works. It is clear that their London based Executive are prepared to sacrifice growth and development in Liverpool to support their position in the South on what is a very different networks to ours. We have been working with key City Region stakeholders to present a strong message that our City Region will be open for business during the Lime Street works. As with previous strikes Merseytravel, together with transport operators, are working on robust contingency plans and these will be published as soon as possible so that passengers can plan their journeys. Merseyrail has confirmed its open door policy with the unions. I would urge the RMT to take up this offer and get back round the table so that we can bring this needless dispute and disruption to our passengers to an end."

No more smoke and mirrors, just the truth...

AN open later demanding answers from Government on the funding of policing and the derisory pay award for Police Officers has been published by those representing rank and file Officers from across the country. Peter Singleton, chair of Merseyside Police Federation, said:- "We don't want meaningless and empty statements about the good job we do. We want a properly funded and well-resourced Police service. The public of Merseyside rightly want this, and they are right to expect this, which is why we have called for answers. Our members are angry and forces have been put in an impossible situation. We feel the government has not been truthful or honest about the pay award given to Officers, which is insulting. The announced 2% awarded isn't new money, it has to come from existing Policing budgets, which means forces may have to choose between Officer numbers and public safety. On Merseyside that means the pay rise could cost the force the equivalent of 25 Officers. That cannot be right."

The letter outlines failures of the Government and demands answers on a range of issues, asking for the truth about crime figures, Police numbers and claims of 'extra' Officers.  Sgt Singleton added:- "Crime is not falling.  It's rising and in some areas like cybercrime it has exploded! Less and less Officers are having to do more and more, and ministers statements of extra Police Officers being on patrol are false, they are not 'extra' Police Officers. They are the same Officers doing longer hours, being called back in when they are off or being given extra responsibilities. It is all smoke and mirrors and double standards. The public here on Merseyside have been fantastic at giving us support, but they deserve better. Officers are reaching breaking point; we are now seeing Officers unable to cope with the mental and physical demands placed upon them by having to work in depleted environments. This cannot be right or fair on anyone, Officers or the public."

The Police Federation of England and Wales, represents 123,000 Police Officers up to and including:- the rank of Chief Inspector. Established by statute, they are responsible not only for the welfare of our members, but also ensuring that their views on all aspects of Policing, including:- relevant legislation, are relayed to Government, opinion formers and key stakeholders.