| The RMT strike on South Western Railway remains “rock solid” as it enters its second day. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “On the second of the five days of strikes in this current phase of action on South Western Railway RMT members remain rock solid and determined this morning in the fight to put public safety before private profit. “There is only one way to break the deadlock in this dispute and that is through South Western Railway agreeing to RMT’s call for talks and sitting down with us to negotiate around the guard guarantee which matches the widespread best practice in the industry. “We have said from the start that this dispute is all about safety and while SWR might think it’s acceptable to play fast and loose with passenger safety, security and access but RMT members, who have stood firm throughout this dispute from day one, will not accept a dilution of the safety regime on the railway. “There’s a simple solution to this dispute and it means SWR stop playing with words, stop trying to create loopholes that open the door to widespread driver only operation and negotiate the guard guarantee that reflects the safety values of the agreements RMT has pinned down in other parts of the rail industry. “RMT thanks the public for their support and understanding throughout this dispute which is simply about putting safety, security and access on South Western Railway before the private profits of the train company.” |