Disruption for North East rail users in another RMT walk out
Last updated 5th Oct 2017
Rail passengers are being warned to expected major disruption on local services across the North East today as strike action is taking place by the RMT Union.
It's the second day of strike action this week, staff also walked out on Tuesday.
Arriva Rail North aims to run around 1,200 services across the North, 46% of its normal timetable, on both days between 7am and 7pm.
The strike's by the RMT Union over decisions to remove train conductors and move to Driver Only Operation - with fears over passenger safety.
Craig Johnson is an RMT organiser for the Northern region.
“I think it’s sad we’ve got strike action, sad for passengers because they’re going to be greatly inconvenienced, sad for my members because they’ll be losing money.
“By 2020 at least 50% of all rail services may have to go driver only operated.
“I don’t consider any strike action to be a success story- what we need is a sensible solution.”
Northern response to RMT strike action on 3 and 5 October
Northern has issued a response to the latest announcement from RMT regarding proposed strike action.
Richard Allan, Northern’s Deputy Managing Director, said: "Northern is modernising local rail with new and refurbished trains, better stations and faster journeys and, while strike action is disruptive, we remain firmly focused on delivering a better service for our customers.
"RMT continues to reject our offers to talk and we are disappointed that the union has called further strike action on Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 October. We are still prepared to guarantee jobs and current pay for all our conductors for the next eight years.”
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