Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has backed rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) over the issue of running trains without guards, as another of the company’s franchises faces industrial action over the matter.
Mr McLoughlin said changes proposed by the company would ‘modernise services and provide better journeys for passengers’.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin is not impressed
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have voted for possible strike action over attempts by Southern railway, also part of GTR, to extend driver only operation by converting the role of train conductor to a broader role of On-Board Supervisor.
It follows a claim yesterday from drivers’ union ASLEF that the fingerprints of Mr McLoughlin and controversial Department for Transport (DfT) official Peter Wilkinson were ‘all over’ a high court action against the union by GTR.
The company is seeking an injunction to stop ASLEF instructing its members not to drive new trains in 12-car formation without guards.
Mr Mcloughlin said: ‘I condemn any industrial action that will disrupt the travelling public. I expect to see operators and the unions working together to resolve these issues.’
‘Rail passengers will not thank the unions for inflicting this unnecessary disruption. It is clear that the changes GTR are proposing will modernise services and provide better journeys for passengers.’
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘RMT, supported by our ASLEF colleagues, is wholly opposed to the attack on the safety-critical conductor grades and the threat of Driver Only Operation. Our members on Southern GTR have given loyal and professional service to the company and are being rewarded by being forced into a new grade, having their role and responsibility reduced and their hard earned terms and conditions attacked.’
The RMT also said it is ‘appalled’ that several Scotrail trains ran on Sunday without a second member of staff on board. It said this was ‘in spite of an agreement with RMT that a Ticket Examiner would always be on board trains that are Driver Only Operation (DOO) and operate without a Conductor’.
Yesterday, ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan, linked GTR’s high court action against the union to reported comments from Peter Wilkinson, the DfT’s managing director of passenger services, suggesting that he would seek confrontation with the union.
Mr Whelan told Transport Network: ‘The fingerprints of Peter Wilkinson and Patrick McLoughlin are all over this.’
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
