RMT calls off action without guarantees

Submitted by martin on 16 May, 2003 - 8:15

By a Central Trains driver
Following three days of action, the strikes by the rail union RMT to restore train guards' safety role were due to be stepped up to 48-hour stoppages on 6/7 May. But on 1 May the planned 48-hour strikes were called off.
Members got a letter from the union (dated 1 May) saying that the 12 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in dispute had moved their position in our favour.
But behind the calling-off were reports that the union committee which had called the 48 hour actions without consultation was being told that it wasn't a popular move - and talk of some previously solid areas crumbling.
So, what did the words "moved their position in our favour" mean? The circular from head office says: "We also believe that the 12 companies will not oppose the main substance of the changes submitted to the Railway Safety and Standards Board jointly by RMT and GNER..." It seems to me that this means very little.
The main problem with this dispute - which has been stop-starting since 1997 - is that the union can never hold anybody accountable. The companies agree with us, the union calls off the strike action, but the TOCs never implement the agreement.
I had been hopeful that this time the union might try to get something on paper from the companies: after all that's what we set out to get. In a head office circular dated 21 March 2003 what we wanted was "…that the TOCs sign a formal agreement that they will back the RMT/GNER process and also ensure that Railway Safety put the change back in the Rule Book".
This we certainly did not get - which means that the companies are free to go back on what they've said. Then we'll have to wait another two years to try and force them back to what they agreed the last time around.
We did get some consulting rights but we didn't get what we were striking for.

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