14.06.16
RMT organises GTR lobby despite strike talks
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) repeated their calls for RMT to accept plans to expand driver-operated only (DOO) access on trains following brokered talks to try to resolve the dispute.
After a day of talks at the offices of Acas yesterday, and strike action in April and May, the RMT executive are discussing their next move.
A GTR spokesperson said: “We hope that they will move this forward and help us develop the on-board supervisor role.”
Despite the talks, RMT announced that it will be holding a protest over executive pay at the headquarters of GTR’s co-owners, Keolis, at Evergreen House on Euston Road tomorrow (15 June) at 2pm.
The union said that the total remuneration for David Brown, CEO of GTR’s other parent company Go-Ahead, was £2.16m in 2014-15 compared to £1.96m the year before, and shareholders’ dividends increased from £34.7m to £36.7m, despite the company’s performance problems.
GTR suffered a greater increase in delays than any other operator last month, although it attributed this to ongoing disruption from the strikes and increased levels of conductor sickness.
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, called the situation “a national disgrace.”
Previous attempts for the two sides to reach a resolution over the strikess fell apart last month.
(Image c. Dominic Lipinski from PA Wire)
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