Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

REMINDER that rail users on Northern services across the North of England that these services will be brought to a halt on Friday, 1 September, and Saturday, 2 September 2023, as the latest ASLEF and RMT strikes take place.

As Northern is the 2nd largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England, the operator has published a travel advice calendar to highlight when services will be affected.

There will be no Northern services at all on:- Friday, 1 September 2023, when ASLEF members; most of whom are employed as train drivers; stage their latest walkout.

Very limited services will operate on:- Saturday, 2 September 2023, when RMT members; who work in a number of roles including:- train conductors; go out on strike.

Early morning services on:- Sunday, 3 September 2023, will also be disrupted due to the impact the previous day’s RMT strike will have on fleet displacement.

For more information about the strike and the skeleton service in place on:- Saturday 2 September, customers should visit:- NorthernRailway.Co.UK.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:- “We can only apologise again for the disruption this strike action by ASLEF and the RMT will cause to our customers.”

In the letter, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:- "I believe that both parties are of the view that we need to navigate a way through the dispute, and from the RMT’s position that would mean the following suggested stages:-

• A 1 year pay proposal for all companies covering the year:- 2022 to 2023, with an underpin, backdated to the relevant anniversary dates in 2022.

• A guarantee of no compulsory redundancies.

• An undertaking that discussions with RMT within the companies, including formal consultations and negotiations, will be deferred until the outcome and determination from the ticket office closures consultation has been provided by the Government and, in any case, that these discussions will not commence before:- 1 December 2023.

• A commitment that in the interim, ahead of:- 1 December 2023, each Train Operating Company will provide to the RMT in writing, their full agenda, and details of “Workforce Reform” proposals for all functions and grades that they are seeking to apply within their organisations.

• A commitment that the existing collective bargaining structures and processes in each company will be respected and adhered to in full including:- consultation and negotiation as appropriate to the matters in scope and, if necessary, use of Avoidance of Dispute processes.

• A commitment that pay negotiations for the year:- 2023 to 2024 will commence from 1 December 2023.

In using the above staged program, I believe that we can bring clarity to everyone in the industry, that they will receive a pay increment for the previous year 2022/2023, with a guarantee of employment going forward, and that all of the change agenda that the companies wish to propose will be known in full and then addressed appropriately through the respective machineries in each of the companies. I'm aware of your initial view of the suggested program, but I do request that full consideration is given by the RDG and DfT to this suggested means and that you respond to this initiative next week."

Are you affected by this strike action? Please leave your comments below...