Landore maintenance depot, Swansea, 9.7.15, photo by Alec Thraves

Landore maintenance depot, Swansea, 9.7.15, photo by Alec Thraves   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

First Great Western rail workers striking against detrimental changes

Swansea may be the end of the line for First Great Western rail passengers but RMT staff are determined it won’t be the end of the line for their jobs and conditions.
This was highlighted by the strong level of picketing at both the maintenance depot and railway station in Swansea.
Swansea RMT branch secretary Owen Herbert explained to Alec Thraves that this dispute is not just about jobs but also about the safety of staff and passengers:

“This dispute is about the changes First Great Western want to impose on our members and the implications they will have on both rail workers and the travelling public.

“First Great Western are using the introduction of the new Hitachi Super Express Trains to scrap the buffet car (except possibly for first class passengers), tender out the maintenance jobs of the new rolling stock, cut station and ticket office staff and most worryingly remove the train guard by introducing driver only operation.

Swansea rail station, 9.7.15, photo by Alec Thraves

Swansea rail station, 9.7.15, photo by Alec Thraves   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

“In Swansea, as with other maintenance depots along the line, around 80+ maintenance jobs are at risk with the building of a new depot to accommodate the Hitachi trains. First Great Western refuses to give any guarantee that staff will be transferred to the new depot with existing terms and conditions kept in place.

“Catering staff are obviously concerned over the threat to their jobs with a removal of the buffet service and its replacement with a trolley service.

“Train guards play an essential role in providing a professional service for the health and safety of passengers whenever any problems, concerns or accidents occur during the journey. The idea that trains could operate without guards would horrify passengers but this is the objective of First Great Western who believe that drivers could operate trains safely on their own because of automatic doors!

First Great Western RMT members in Cardiff, 9.7.15, photo Socialist Party Wales

First Great Western RMT members in Cardiff, 9.7.15, photo Socialist Party Wales   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

“The RMT and East Coast, which are also introducing the new Hitachi trains, have negotiated an agreement which satisfies all the concerns of our union, and our members on Great Western are determined to reach a similar deal otherwise future action will be on the cards!


Exeter

Members of the Socialist Party and supporters of TUSC visited the Exeter RMT picket line. Pickets reported that managers and other layers of lower management were attempting to break the strike.

RMT picket line in Exeter, FGW strike July 2015, photo by Sean Brogan

RMT picket line in Exeter, FGW strike July 2015, photo by Sean Brogan   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

There were reports of overloaded trains and dangerous practices. Managers had two days of training as train managers, part of which was watching how it was done from a distance.

Pickets have pointed to a culture of bullying that has developed. Train ‘incidents’ which are reported may lead to the sack – not reporting also leads to the sack.

Pickets warned about the ugly incidents that will happen ‘up the line’ without train managers, as is proposed with the introduction of the new trains, such as when a fight breaks out. Women travelling alone will feel less safe with the proposed levels of staff.

A very warm welcome was extended to us and a nice cup of tea!

Sean Brogan, Exeter Socialist Party and TUSC candidate in Newton Abbot

Plymouth

Ryan Aldred, Plymouth Socialist Party, interviewed an RMT official about the RMT’s decision to take 48 hours of strike action on FGW.

Why have RMT members taken strike action?

This dispute has arisen over concerns surrounding the issue of new trains which First Great Western (FGW) and the RMT have been in talks over for two years.

Staff working at stations and maintenance staff are likely to be withdrawn. Moreover, it is likely that the buffet car will be removed in favour of a buffet trolley which will mean a reduction in staff and a worsening of services provided.

Also, it seems that the role of the train guard is being withdrawn from London to Wales and the South West which means that trains will be Driver Only Operated.

This means that rather than a guard being responsible for the train, leaving the driver free to drive the train, the driver will have to take sole responsibility for the train.

This would require ensuring that trains depart from platforms safely with no assistance from staff on the platform and the driver taking sole responsibility for passenger safety in the event of an accident despite the driver being most at risk.

These changes would jeopardise passenger safety and because of this RMT has balloted members working for FGW and has seen resounding support for strike action. So members have taken 48 hours of strike action followed by 24 hours of action ‘short of strike’.

What has the mood been like among strikers?

The mood has been very good. Both old and new members are taking part and taking lead roles with many members taking strike action for the first time.

Members were employed to do a job and we won’t accept FGW changing terms for worse service. So far there have been two meetings since the ballot and at every stage the company refused to meet our demands.

Our members feel that these are not too much to ask when East Coast Trains have met these demands and have the same trains.

If these concessions are acceptable for East Coast to offer their staff it should be good enough for FGW staff as ultimately it is the passengers that would have to endure worse service and increased risk to safety.

What has support from the public been like?

The public have been overwhelmingly on our side as they are concerned about the prospect of a worse service.

FGW have promised more customer-facing staff but we are seeing more staff being removed from customer facing roles which will eventually lead to a faceless railway.

Even some MPs have felt the pressure and have come out in support of this strike action as the wider public are hugely in favour of passenger safety over profiteering.

Are RMT members prepared to take further action if necessary?

Further action is being looked at after the 48-hour strike and overtime ban has taken place. Members are prepared to take further action but we are open to talks with FGW to try and resolve this matter.

We don’t want members to lose money but we have had to take this decision to protect the safety of passengers as well as ensuring the job security and safety of staff. Our members were employed to do a job, they cannot have their terms changed at the bosses’ whims.

Our demands to FGW are:

  • We want a guard on all services to ensure passenger safety
  • Retaining role of dispatch staff to ensure safety of passengers making their way from the platform to the train as well as ensuring safe train departures
  • Buffet service to continue to be offered from a buffet car as preferred by customers rather than a buffet trolley which won’t work in busy times
  • TUPE all in-house fleet maintenance staff to Hitachi who will have sole responsibility of keeping fleet serviced and maintained