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RMT in new rail strike vote
Dick Murray, Transport Editor15 Aug 2008
Union chiefs have ordered a strike ballot among rail workers in a dispute over the new high-speed Javelin trains - a year before they come into use.
The RMT raised the threat of industrial action among 500 workers over the duties of guards on the multi-million-pound trains.
The Javelin trains will ferry Channel Tunnel passengers from Ashford into St Pancras International, at up to 180mph in between the Eurostar services. But the RMT claims Southeastern, owned by transport giant Go-Via and responsible for the new trains, plans to change the role of guards.
The union said Southeastern wants to remove all control of the poweroperated train doors from guards. Southeastern commuters also face a second round of strikes in a separate row over pay.
Reader views (4)
Unfortunately this strike does not only involve just guards, but retail, engineering and some drivers. What South-eastern Trains have also failed to mention in all of their press statements is the harrasment of members that has been occuring. This includes, if you go on strike you will not get any back pay, your travel facilities will be removed and if you apply for future promotion it will be refused. I thought industrial relations had moved on from petty threats. Perhaps the public need to be told the whole picture of what is going on before any judgement is made.
- D.River, gillingham, kent, 19/09/2008 01:55
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Southeastern do not flinch! Let those ghosts of the past barking mad. I am sure RMT would like to reinstate the guy walking upfront of the train, waving a red flag, as in the early age of Stephenson...train guards are useless...More drivers, more trains no guards...
- Phn, Tonbridge UK, 18/09/2008 07:18
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Most of the trains I travel on in London are Driver only operated why not Javelins as well.
- B Williams, Barry, Wales., 18/09/2008 06:18
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Most trains are driver only in Europe. It's completely sensible for the driver to operate the doors. Why pay for a separate door keeper? Do the RMT have lift attendants on the lift doors at their HQ? No. South Eastern should stand up to this RMT rubbish.
- S. Neave, London, UK., 18/09/2008 06:18
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