Yesterday I met Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary prior to a Parliamentary debate on Southern Rail. They are against not only the most recent extension of Driver Controlled Doors but its use where it has been in operation for over 30 years. 100 extra on board supervisors have been appointed by GTR and 97.25 per cent of trains which used to have a “second person” have continued to operate with one – a proportion GTR expects to increase. I want 100 per cent of these trains to have a “second person” on board, so does GTR, so do the RMT. But if, in exceptional circumstances, the OBS can’t get there I want the train to run. It is safe for it to do so and cancellation causes not only immediate problems for passengers but a significant knock-on impact. The RMT demand cancellation. That appears to be the crux of their dispute.
Meanwhile ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, has recommenced its overtime ban (the standard drivers’ working week is 4 days) and is intent on further industrial action over a pay. ASLEF has accepted a 24 per cent pay rise over 4 years for its drivers on the Thameslink line which is worth £70,000 for a five day week but has rejected the same offer on the Horsham lines. Passengers will draw their own conclusions. 325 new drivers are going through the required 18 months of training prior to starting work, this will reduce the need for overtime and increase resilience on the line.
Unsurprisingly the Gibb Report into Southern Rail concluded that industrial action was the primary cause of the nightmare passengers were out through last year.
However there was more to the report than that. The lines needed a minimum £300m cash investment - which the Government immediately committed. He recommended better means of management co-ordination – which has been implemented. GTR it is clear needs more drivers – they are in training.
GTR service, from a very low ebb improved massively earlier this year. We all find it difficult to comprehend why the Unions want again to bring this service down.
Photo caption: With Sally Bromley and the Collyer's team off this week to Washington DC for an international competition on robotics. The team won the UK national competition including beating challengers from specialist tech colleges!