Trains across Greater Manchester and the North of England are set to grind to a halt again after the RMT union announced a second day of industrial action on Saturday 8th April

The union confirmed further strike action by guards and driver members on Arriva Rail North as the company it says continues to fail to give clear guarantees on the future safety-critical role of their guards.

Members will now strike for 24 hours between 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Saturday 8th April 2017.‎

 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“The continuing refusal of the company to give a simple, lasting guarantee that protects the safety-critical role of the guard on their trains leaves RMT with no option but to announce this further day of strike action. The date we have announced, the 8th April, gives Arriva Rail North ample time to get round the table with us and negotiate a settlement that puts passenger safety right at its core.

“This dispute, and the industrial action we have announced today, were entirely preventable if the company had listened to the unions deep-seated safety concerns, had taken them seriously, stuck to their earlier commitments and had put passenger safety before profit.

“The company’s intransigence has forced our hand and given us to option but to announce this latest phase of industrial action. The disruption to services will be entirely down to Arriva Rail North reneging on their earlier commitments. The union remains available for genuine and meaningful talks and we await a response from the company to that offer.”

 

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