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| Southern rail deal a 'shocking betrayal', RMT union says | |
| (about 20 hours 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. | |
| 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." |
| 'Abysmal document' | |
| The deal includes details of circumstances when a train can be operated as driver-only, without an on-board supervisor (OBS). | 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. | 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 after seeing details of the agreement, 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 rulebook 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". |
| Analysis: Ben Weisz, BBC Sussex political reporter | |
| The deal I've seen lets Southern run trains without a guard, or indeed, an onboard supervisor. | |
| Not just on trains that already lack them, but on services where they don't show up - through sickness, lateness, problems elsewhere on the network, and so on. | |
| But Southern have conceded a list of occasions where an OBS may be able to help dispatch a train; if the CCTV is broken, for instance. | |
| There'll also be a joint working party to iron out any issues with the rollout of new driver-only operated trains - but it's for Southern and Aslef, the drivers union. | |
| There's no mention of a seat for the RMT, who represent guards. | |
| They've called this deal a betrayal, but if it is accepted, any future RMT strike action may have less bite. | |
| That's a big "if". | |
| Not all drivers are as pleased with the deal as their leader Mick Whelan, and some are struggling to see what they've gained from the talks with Southern. | |
| The RMT, which has held a number of strikes since last April, 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. |