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| Southern rail deal is 'shocking betrayal', RMT union says | Southern rail deal is 'shocking betrayal', RMT union says |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A deal agreed to end the long-running Southern rail dispute is a "shocking betrayal" of workers and passengers, the RMT union has claimed. | A deal agreed to end the long-running Southern rail dispute is a "shocking betrayal" of workers and passengers, the RMT union has claimed. |
| Leaders of the Aslef union agreed to recommend the deal to almost 1,000 drivers following 11 days of talks which did not involve the RMT. | Leaders of the Aslef union agreed to recommend the deal to almost 1,000 drivers following 11 days of talks which did not involve the RMT. |
| RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the deal would leave drivers and passengers "exposed and vulnerable". | RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the deal would leave drivers and passengers "exposed and vulnerable". |
| "This is not a deal, it is a disgrace, and the RMT dispute remains on." | "This is not a deal, it is a disgrace, and the RMT dispute remains on." |
| An agreement between Aslef and the rail operator's parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), over changes to the role of guards on Southern trains was announced on Thursday. | An agreement between Aslef and the rail operator's parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), over changes to the role of guards on Southern trains was announced on Thursday. |
| At the time, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "I am confident this deal can provide a safer and appropriately staffed railway for passengers on Southern Rail and I will be recommending it to our members." | At the time, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "I am confident this deal can provide a safer and appropriately staffed railway for passengers on Southern Rail and I will be recommending it to our members." |
| 'Stitch-up' | 'Stitch-up' |
| The deal includes details of circumstances when a train can be operated as driver-only, without an on-board supervisor (OBS). | |
| Among those circumstances are absenteeism, lateness and illness, or if an OBS has to leave the train to deal with an emergency or is left behind by the driver. | |
| Speaking on Saturday, Mr Cash said: "This abysmal document lists a whole host of areas where a train can leave without a second member of staff that will leave both the driver and passengers exposed and vulnerable, and which also represents a thin end of the wedge that will lead to the de-staffing of trains." | |
| He added: "Loyal and dedicated conductors, who have fought for safety for over a year, have had the legs kicked from under them by those who are supposed to be on their side. | He added: "Loyal and dedicated conductors, who have fought for safety for over a year, have had the legs kicked from under them by those who are supposed to be on their side. |
| "Passengers and staff alike have been sold out by a stitch-up cooked up in Congress House by the TUC and the bosses whilst Southern, one of the most anti-union and hated companies of recent times, is laughing all the way to the bank and have been given a free run to rip up the safety rule book in the name of profits." | "Passengers and staff alike have been sold out by a stitch-up cooked up in Congress House by the TUC and the bosses whilst Southern, one of the most anti-union and hated companies of recent times, is laughing all the way to the bank and have been given a free run to rip up the safety rule book in the name of profits." |
| Mr Cash said the union would fight "this shocking betrayal with every tool at our disposal". | Mr Cash said the union would fight "this shocking betrayal with every tool at our disposal". |
| The RMT, which mainly represents conductors, has held a number of strikes since last April, but is due to hold talks with Southern next week. | The RMT, which mainly represents conductors, has held a number of strikes since last April, but is due to hold talks with Southern next week. |
| A TUC spokesperson said: "We are pleased the RMT and Southern have agreed to new talks. | A TUC spokesperson said: "We are pleased the RMT and Southern have agreed to new talks. |
| "As we have consistently said, the TUC stands ready to assist any of our affiliates seeking to resolve industrial disputes, if asked." | "As we have consistently said, the TUC stands ready to assist any of our affiliates seeking to resolve industrial disputes, if asked." |
| Aslef members are being balloted on the new agreement, with the result due on 16 February. | Aslef members are being balloted on the new agreement, with the result due on 16 February. |