Posted 5th August 2010 | 5 Comments
Scottish DOO dispute ends
Class 334s will be transferred to the new route from the Ayrshire Coast and Inverclyde lines
THE long-running dispute over train crew manning on the new Airdrie-Bathgate route in the Scottish central belt has ended, but the RMT union is pledging to step up its campaign against any extension of driver-only operation (DOO).
ScotRail will use Class 334 units on the electrified line when it opens in December, restoring a rail link between Glasgow and Edinburgh and also bringing back trains to communities between Drumgelloch and Bathgate.
The Alstom-built 334s are only equipped with a door control panel in the driver's cab, and retro-fitting controls for use by conductors would cost £1.4 million, according to ScotRail, which intends instead to crew the units with a driver and ticket examiner.
Although this is the practice on around half of ScotRail's trains already, the RMT has steadfastly refused to agree to the absence of conductors controlling the doors on the new route. The union called several strikes during the spring in protest, claiming that safety would be at risk.
ScotRaill has always denied that this, and a memorandum of understanding was drawn up between the RMT and ScotRail at the conciliation service Acas in late July.
ScotRail managing director Steve Montgomery welcomed the development. He said: “I am pleased to say that the RMT is no longer in dispute with the company over this issue. We look forward to introducing the services. They will not only benefit customers but also provide 130 much needed new jobs.”
However, although the RMT has withdrawn from the Airdrie dispute it is not giving up its opposition to DOO in general.
It said that it would now be 're-focusing its campaign through a renewed legal and political drive. The legal challenge will be based on the failure of Scotrail to adhere to a binding agreement with RMT not to extend DOO which was signed off in 2001. The union has concrete legal opinion that the 2001 agreement is still absolutely valid'.
The RMT also warned that it would be stepping up its political campaign over the issue, which is targeted at the Scottish Government.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Buzz, Paisley
The RMT's claim that these services would be unsafe, despite agreeing they are safe elsewhere on the network was immensly stupid. RMT members have every right to feel let down by the union. The RMT have acted irresponsably and have acheived nothing. Scotrail stated from the start that no jobs would be lost, yet the strike went ahead and now the RMT are claiming they have saved jobs.
Infact, they have been sent away with their tail between their legs and are trying to convince the public it was all worthwhile.
It was a stupid strike. However, as long as the members continue to pay their monthly fee, the man at the top can afford a £10,000 wage rise.
Sandra Watson, Plains, Airdrie, UK
We have the misfortune of living on the Airdrie Bathgate Rail Link route and over the last 2 years we have been bullied and railroaded by Network Rail to such an extent that you would think we are living in 1810 rather than 2010. They are answerable to no-one and there is not a single body in either industry or government to whom they have to justify their treatment of or actions towards those of us in the way of their project. We know, we've tried to get the First Minister, Minister for Transport, Transport Scotland and the ORR to listen to us. They are the biggest bully in the playground with neither parent nor headmaster to control them.
andrew ganley, cheam, england
Thats what you get when you let a 'bus company run a railway! and thank your
lucky stars you dont live in the FCC bit of FirstGroup the worst TOC .....ever.
Llion Wynne Jones, aberdare
That what it's like down here in south Wales on the Valleys lines. There is only a conductor and driver, and the conductor/ticket examiner opens and closes the doors without any fuss whatsoever.
Mr C. Ductor, Manchester
"Crewed with a ticket examiner and a driver."
Is this Firstgroup speak for "Crewed with a driver." "Oh and if we can find a ticket examiner, one of them too."
This franchisee ran a large number of services minus a second member of staff over the last couple of years, in breach of the franchise. When this franchise is re-let, these breaches should be noted when considering FirstGroup's bidding.