RMT say they''ll call off Open walkout if offered Great Western deal from Merseyrail

The RMT Union say they will sign a deal with Merseyrail - to end strike action - if the rail operator guarantees a conductor or guard on every train.

Yesterday, the operator called on the Union to call off their proposed strike on the last day of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale

Over 200’000 people are expected to head to Merseyside for the event over the next week

Merseyrail managing director, Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde said:

‘It is disgraceful that the RMT Executive should deliberately target major events that the city region has worked so hard to bring to Merseyside. As we saw with Aintree Saturday in April, the RMT Executive thinks nothing of doing down the Liverpool city region in its proudest moments. “

“Only one out of the 20 members of the RMT National Executive Committee covers the Liverpool city region. They don’t care about the economic and reputational damage that they cause. “

‘This industrial action is nothing to do with safety. If it was, the RMT would never have agreed a staffing deal last month with Great Western Railway, which sees new trains introduced, some with guards on them and some operating only with drivers.’

But John Tilley from the Union says they've sent the proposal to the boss of Merseyrail, and said it would mirror deals already agreed with several other operators.

He said: “Merseyrail are bringing in new trains which we welcome but they want to operate them with just a driver.”

“The agreement we’ve signed with great Western is the new trains on the main line and every one will have a guard on them. I’d have the same deal with (Merseyrail), not a problem"

You can listen to the full interview on Radio City Talk below