News / Transport
Union announces rail strike over new trains
Trains in and out of Bristol will be affected by a two-day strike next Wednesday.
First Great Western employees voted for action amid concerns over jobs with the arrival of new high-speed trains.
Rail union RMT said it had received assurances from operators on the East Coast Main Line that new services would have guards and a buffet car – but had received nothing from First Great Western.
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Doors of the high-speed Hitachi Class 800 trains, due to serve the newly-electrified line to London from 2017, will be controlled by the drivers using a live CCTV feed – removing the need for the traditional train guard.
RMT executives announced the strike will take place from 6.30 on Wednesday, July 8, and end at 6.30pm on Friday.
In a letter to employees, RMT general secretary Mark Cash said: “The solidarity and determination of members in the dispute has been incredible and I urge you to keep this up and stand shoulder to shoulder with your colleagues on the days of action.”
The RMT entered a dispute with First Great Western in May, requesting assurances over guards, platform staff, buffet cars, the maintenance of rolling stock and any further job losses.
Eighty per cent of RMT workers voted for strike action last week.
First Great Western said in a statement: “These new trains, the largest fleet upgrade on the Great Western for a generation, will shave journey times by as much as 17 minutes, and provide the capacity we know our customers want to see – but in order to be able to do this we need to operate these trains differently to the way we operate our current 40 year-old High Speed Trains.
“The best way to make the most of these new trains, in an efficient and safe way, is by the use of driver operation of the doors.”
It added: “We are keen to talk further with the RMT to avoid our passengers and colleagues being impacted by strike action and we are seeking an early meeting with RMT.” .