June 6, 2018 11.24 am This story is over 69 months old

More strikes planned as Northern Rail dispute continues

The new timetable has caused a lot of problems
Further Northern Rail strikes are planned for this month. Photo: Northern Rail Facebook

Further Northern Rail strikes will take place later this month as part of a dispute over guards and safety.

As previously reported, there were strikes over Easter and last month with the train franchise only able to operate a limited service on strike days.

Northern runs a Sheffield to Lincoln route so this could again be affected, so keep an eye on the train franchise’s website for details.

The train franchise also issued a joint statement with Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) last month to apologise for issues over a new timetable, with many commuters suffering delays and cancellations, especially on a number of routes around North Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool and Cumbria.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) confirmed all Arriva Rail North Conductor, Conductor Instructor and Train Driver members are instructed to take action by not booking on for any shifts on the following days:

  • 00.01am and 11.59pm on Tuesday, June 19
  • 00.01am and 11.59pm on Thursday, June 21
  • 00.01am and 11.59pm on Saturday, June 23

General Secretary at RMT Mick Cash said: “We have seen over the past fortnight that Northern is a company which has declared war on its passengers and staff alike. RMT will not stand aside while the threat to axe safety critical guards from Northern services remains central to the company plans.

“This company has reduced the timetable to total chaos and the union will not allow them to slash the safety culture to ribbons in the same fashion.

“It is a tribute to the determination and professionalism of RMT members on Arriva Rail North that they have remained rock solid for over a year now in what is a clear-cut battle to put public safety before private profit.

“German-owned Northern Rail want to run half a million trains a year without a safety critical guard on board in a move that would wreck both safety and access ‎to services and they should listen to their front-line staff and pull back from that plan immediately.

“RMT has agreed arrangements in Wales and Scotland that enshrine the guard guarantee. If it’s good enough for Wales and Scotland to have safe rail services it should be good enough for the rest of Britain.

“The failure to reach a solution to this dispute to date is solely down to the company and the union remains ready for genuine and meaningful talks.”

Have you experienced any timetable issues? Email [email protected]