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Rail strikes across England to disrupt services for second day Second day of rail strikes this week set to disrupt services across England
(35 minutes later)
Strikes will disrupt rail services around England for a second day this week, in the spreading dispute over the future of guards on trains.Strikes will disrupt rail services around England for a second day this week, in the spreading dispute over the future of guards on trains.
Further industrial action by members of the RMT union will take place on four franchises, after a walkout on Tuesday, and will particularly impact services in the north. Further industrial action by members of the RMT union will take place on four franchises, after a walkout on Tuesday, and will particularly affect services in the north.
Only about 1,200 Northern services will operate, less than half of its normal timetable, with trains running between 7am and 7pm. Northern has warned commuters to expect trains and any replacement buses to be extremely busy. Only about 1,200 Northern services will operate on Thursday, less than half of its normal timetable, with trains running between 7am and 7pm. Northern has warned commuters to expect trains and any replacement buses to be extremely busy.
Most Merseyrail services will run in the morning and evening peaks, though the service will stop during the middle of the day and some stations will be closed.Most Merseyrail services will run in the morning and evening peaks, though the service will stop during the middle of the day and some stations will be closed.
Guards will also strike onSouthern and Greater Anglia, though both operators expect to run a near-normal service. Guards will also strike on Southern and Greater Anglia, though both operators expect to run a near-normal service.
The row over the role and responsibilities of onboard train staff, which has led to strikes over the past 18 months around the railway, has remained bitter and looks set to draw in one of the biggest commuter franchises after conductors on South Western Railway voted for strike action on Tuesday.The row over the role and responsibilities of onboard train staff, which has led to strikes over the past 18 months around the railway, has remained bitter and looks set to draw in one of the biggest commuter franchises after conductors on South Western Railway voted for strike action on Tuesday.
RMT accused Southern of “reaching a new low” and attempting to intimidate staff by warning that pensions could be affected and sanctions forthcoming should industrial action continue.RMT accused Southern of “reaching a new low” and attempting to intimidate staff by warning that pensions could be affected and sanctions forthcoming should industrial action continue.
Mick Cash, general secretary, said: “Instead of resorting to the gutter tactics of the playground bully Southern should start acting responsibly and should get round the table with the trade union for serious talks aimed at resolving the longest running industrial dispute in Britain.”Mick Cash, general secretary, said: “Instead of resorting to the gutter tactics of the playground bully Southern should start acting responsibly and should get round the table with the trade union for serious talks aimed at resolving the longest running industrial dispute in Britain.”
A Southern spokesman said: “We reject the latest claims made by the RMT. Today will be the 36th day of RMT strikes and we, like our passengers and the vast majority of our colleagues, simply want an end to this unnecessary dispute.”A Southern spokesman said: “We reject the latest claims made by the RMT. Today will be the 36th day of RMT strikes and we, like our passengers and the vast majority of our colleagues, simply want an end to this unnecessary dispute.”
The Rail Delivery Group, which speaks on behalf of train operators, condemned the action as “needless and opportunistic”.The Rail Delivery Group, which speaks on behalf of train operators, condemned the action as “needless and opportunistic”.
RMT has named 330 unstaffed Arriva Rail North (Northern) stations that it fears will become “crime hotspots and no-go areas” for vulnerable and disabled passengers if plans by the company go ahead.
The company was planning for at least 50% of services to have no guards, with many lines and routes unstaffed, said the union, which warned that removing guards from trains travelling through hundreds of unstaffed stations would result in a “cocktail of dangers”.
Cash said: “No staff on many routes and lines, no staff on the stations and no staff on the trains travelling through these stations means there will be a cocktail of dangers at the locations we have identified, which will increasingly become no-go areas for vulnerable passengers and new crime hotspots.
“At the same time our isolated drivers will be on their own, increasingly exposed to antisocial and violent behaviour.”
Richard Allan, Northern’s deputy managing director, said: “Our plans will see staff more visible and available than ever before on trains and stations. We want to keep a second person on many of our services and, at some locations, we may choose to staff the station to give better customer support.