|
RMT welcomes key Rail North
representatives' opposition to Driver Only trains on Northern Rail services
THE Rail Uunion RMT has welcomed
support from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which covers:- Leeds Council,
York Council, Bradford Council, Calderdale Council, Kirklees Council and
Wakefield Council for RMT's campaign to keep the Guard on Northern Rail
Services.
The Chair of the combined authority's transport committee, Cllr Keith Wakefield,
has written that:- "The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has supported
RMT's concern for passenger safety under the proposed driver only operation.
Given the disruption to passengers we have urged that the Government intervenes
to bring about a fair settlement like they have in Scotland, which gives
assurances to vulnerable passengers."
The deal in Scotland kept the guarantee of Guards on new modern trains and
resolved a long running dispute.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "We welcome this latest round of
political support for our campaign to keep the Guard on the train in the North.
There is also now opposition to driver only trains in the North from Councils in
the vast majority of Rail North areas. In fact, we are not aware of 1 Council in
the North that has voted to support driver only trains on Arriva Rail North
services. To protect safety, security and accessibility the Welsh and Scottish
Government have already said there will be no expansion of Driver Only Trains on
their services and passengers in the North should be treated no differently. It
is time for Chris Grayling and the government in London to stop blocking a
resolution of this dispute in the North."
What are your views about these claims by the RMT? Please email us at:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com with your thoughts and views on this
issue...
|
