Strike fears over Government plan to cut train guards

According to union the RMT, Arriva Rail North has been set a target of shifting 50 per cent of services to driver control operation in the next seven years.

The move would remove the safety critical role of the guard or conductor and will come into place when new trains are introduced.

A similar move has sparked a series of strikes at under-fire operator Southern, where rail union the RMT is digging in over the role of onboard staff.

And in a circular seen by The Gazette, the same union has asked employees at Northern to be prepared for a ballot on industrial action should Northern press ahead with its plans.

The message to staff, from general secretary Mick Cash, lays out the stance of the RMT over the change, highlighting a number of ‘alarming issues’.

The RMT is concerned the Department for Transport and not Arriva is ‘pulling the strings’ as the quota is included in the firm’s franchise deal.

Writing to members following a meeting between Arriva and the RMT Mr Cash said: “The meeting has clearly highlighted the Government’s approach to safety and sheds light on other disputes such as the one on Southern.

“The Government are putting greed before passengers and slashing safety critical roles to the detriment of staff and passengers.”

Mr Cash asked members at Arriva, which is owned by German state railway Deutsche Bahn, to ensure their details were up to date ‘in preparation for any industrial action that may be necessary.’

The union’s chief negotiator with Arriva warned his members could be heading for conflict with the Government over the changes.

Micky Thompson said: “When a similar exercise was proposed at Scotrail we were able to negotiate and come to a compromise.

“The company has told us it is not allowed to do that here.

“I cannot understand why anybody would want to take away a second member of staff whose job is to ensure the safety of the train and the passengers.

“In the recent incident at Watford where two trains collided in a tunnel, it was the guard who took measures to protect the train.

“Why would you want to remove that?

“The Department for Transport’s justification is that it will reduce dwell times at stations.

“We have seen nothing to support that in the case of Northern.

“We work in a heavily congested area with more people than ever travelling.

“This should be about safety, not about money.

“In this case, a private company cannot negotiate with a trade union.

“We are desperate to reach a resolution but I fear the arrangement here is going to put us on the path of conflict.

“Hopefully we can avoid any industrial action but if we are not allowed to negotiate we are thrown into a political dispute with the secretary of state.

“If that is the case it is inevitable we are going to have to take some form of action.”

Arriva Rail Northern said it was too early to comment on plans for Driver Control Operation which are still in the early stages of development.

A spokesman said: “Northern is committed to a wide range of improvements that will transform rail travel in the North. We are in the very early stages and many of our plans are in still in development.

“We are committed to continuing to work closely with all our trades union colleagues as our plans evolve.”

The company is expected to introduce the first new trains, built by Spanish firm CAF in 2018.

With the Blackpool North branch being electrified at the same time it is likely some of the new carriages will operate to and from the resort.

The Department for Transport is expected to respond shortly.