The decision by some Conductor members of the RMT to stage a second period of strike action has been branded as ‘completely unnecessary' by London Midland's managing director.
Steve Banaghan said the RMT's decision to take further strike action on March 29 and 30 showed a complete disregard for passengers.
"In this day and age we're operating a seven-day railway and that is what our passengers expect from us," he said.
"The RMT Union, sadly, doesn't seem to recognise this. They clearly want to disrupt families travelling on Sundays. Their ideas, as well as the basis for this action, are rooted in the past. This action is completely unnecessary."
In the first period of strike action on March 13 and 16 London Midland ran over 80% of services between Northampton and London Euston.
Around 60 members of management staff worked on trains, supported by around 100 further members of London Midland staff helping operational staff, to ensure as many services ran as possible.
"We received a positive reaction from our passengers and the timetable worked well," Mr Banaghan said.
"The RMT Union's claims are riddled with inaccuracies. They have tried to make an issue of safety by referring to ‘breaches' and suggested we have operated unsafely."
"All of our management staff has extensive train crew experience and our plans were checked by Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Railways. We take passenger safety extremely seriously and believe the RMT Union's agenda is simply to scaremonger."
Mr Banaghan said further claims that London Midland had ‘refused to budge an inch' in negotiations were nonsense.
"We have discussed a number of improvements with the RMT and remain committed to finding a resolution. Sadly, we have yet to receive a response to these requests," he said.
"In calling this action, the RMT appears to be determined to cause disruption and uncertainty to passengers over issues that date back 10 years.
During the strike days, London Midland is determined to run as many services as possible. These will include:
- Northampton to Birmingham and Crewe
- Northampton and all stations to London Euston
- Tring and London Euston
- dedicated peak period Northampton-Euston services
- Full details of the revised timetables for these days will appear on the London Midland website shortly.
Editor's Notes:
The reason for the dispute is arrangements for Sunday working and calculation of rest day payments. Both of these issues pre-date the start of London Midland's franchise.
The Sunday issue dates back to contracts that were initially introduced in August 1999 which commits conductors to work a rostered Sunday, if required to do so. This has been in force for all new employees who joined Silverlink since 2001.
The rest day issue is about the calculation of time and one tenth for hours worked on a rest day. The company has offered to change the calculation and back date this to the start of the franchise (11 November 2007). The RMT wants to include service with the previous employer.
London Midland is committed to delivering services seven days a week, including services for those wishing to travel on Sundays.
The RMT has alleged that members of staff have been ‘bullied' over roster patterns and overtime working. London Midland rejects these allegations.
Overtime is voluntary and London Midland conductors can choose to decline working extra hours, so there is no truth in claims of imposed hours.
Staff rosters are worked out with the co-operation of Trade Union representatives.
All hours worked are monitored and controlled centrally by computer to prevent staff working excessive hours.
There are clear safety rules and procedures in place to ensure members of London Midland train crew do not work excessive hours and these include designated rest breaks within their working day, as well as minimum hours break between shifts.
London Midland policies and procedures are in line with rail industry standards and all health & safety requirements. We take safety very seriously and would never compromise the safe delivery of our services to passengers.
