As the second day of 24 strike action by some RMT Conductors based at Watford, Milton Keynes and Northampton takes place today, London Midland confirmed that it is running more passenger services again today.
The company introduced a special timetable for services operating between Northampton and all stations to London Euston due to two 24 hours strikes called by the RMT union disputing 10 year old agreements relating to Sunday working and the calculation of payments for Rest Day Working.
Today the company is again running additional services along the route at peak travelling times, in addition to the special timetabled services. Updates on the front page of London Midland's website, http://www.londonmidland.com
London Midland Operations and Safety Director, Andy Thomas, said:
"We ran extra services in the morning peak this morning and plan to do so again in the evening peak. Our plans are to run as many trains as possible, with as many carriages, so that we can get passengers home this evening. We are able to run more services because we have more Conductors planning to come to work today, in spite of the strike.
"We are aware that the RMT is making claims about the safe operation of our services. I can assure all passengers that the staff on board our trains today are operating safely, competently and to the same procedures that the RMT members use when they are at work. We have managers out there with considerable experience and training over years as Conductors and our plans for the strike days have been verified by the HMRI.
"Rather than attempting to undermine passenger confidence and the fact that we are running as many services as possible to get passengers to and from work today, the RMT should bring to us any evidence they have of alleged safety breaches so that they can be fully investigated through the proper channels. There is one incident that is being thoroughly investigated. Our preliminary investigations show that the correct procedures were followed on board and our investigation is now looking at possible defect with the train itself.
