London Midland: company agrees to talks as union sets revised dates for 48-hour conductors’ strike

Publication Date: March 26 2009

AROUND 100 RMT train conductors working at London Midland depots at Bletchley, Northampton and Watford are set to strike for 48 hours from a minute after midnight on Sunday April 5 in their long-running dispute over Sunday working.

The dates replace a 48-hour stoppage scheduled for March 29 and 30, which was cancelled following a legal wrangle arising out of complex anti-union laws.

The union today welcomed news that London Midland had agreed to talks on the dispute tomorrow (Friday).

The conductors, who have already taken action on March 13 and 16, voted overwhelmingly for action last month over attempts by the company to pressure staff into working Sundays.

“Our members have made clear where they stand with two rock- solid days of strike action,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“Rather than using anti-union laws to try to stymie their democratic right to strike the company should be negotiating with us to settle it, and tomorrow’s talks are a welcome development,” Bob Crow said.

Strike action on two commuter rail lines suspended after talks progress on jobs

Publication Date: March 26 2009

STRIKE ACTION by members of Britain’s biggest rail union at two major commuter train-operating companies has been suspended to allow further talks to take place on jobs and future staffing, and for consultation with members on progress made.

Around 1,500 RMT members had been due to strike on Monday in separate disputes at First Capital Connect and National Express East Anglia.

“We have been in intensive talks today with both National Express and First Capital Connect, and significant progress has been made – not least that there have been no compulsory redundancies at either company,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“There is no doubt that the determination of RMT members and their decisive votes for strike action have played a major role in the progress we have made.

“First Capital Connect has modified proposals on booking office closures, including a reduction in the number of staff to be displaced, and a commitment that all displaced booking office staff will be retained.

“At National Express East Anglia there has also been significant progress made in discussions on reducing the use of agency and contract labour.

“In the light of these developments the RMT executive has today suspended the action scheduled for Monday at both companies in order to allow talks to continue and to consult with our members on the proposals made,” Bob Crow said.