STRIKE ACTION by Network Rail signallers against attempts to impose new rosters is rock-solid, Britain's biggest rail union said today.
As RMT members at signalling locations across South Wales and the Marches began the second of six days of strike action, the union announced that general secretary Bob Crow would join the picket line at Newport signal panel at 10:00 tomorrow (Wednesday, December 16).
Bob Crow will be available for interview at Newport Signal Panel, outside Newport Signal Panel on Queensway, adjacent to Newport Railway Station, High Street, Newport, NP20 4AXý – between 10:00 and 11:00 (see below for link to map).
With the strike little more than 24 hours old, RMT revealed that, contrary to NR assertions, the stoppage was already having an effect, with reduced services and bus replacement on some routes (details below), and routine maintenance deferred.
"Our members' action is rock-solid, and they are to be congratulated for taking a principled stand against Network Rail's attempt to rip up agreements and impose new rosters when the South Wales Control Centre opens next year," Bob Crow said today.
"Our members have made it clear that they are not prepared to see their work-life balance wrecked as part of an imposed cost-cutting exercise
"NR said the strike would have a minimal impact, but it is already clear that despite dragging in ill-trained managers from all corners of Britain they are having to curtail and cancel services on some lines in order to keep the mainline open.
"More worryingly we are also hearing from our maintenance members that they are being denied access to the track possessions for some routine maintenance on the South Wales mainline because the scab managers have insufficient knowledge of the job to cope.
"Rather than waste effort trying to undermine our members' solid strike Network Rail should be sitting round the table with us trying to thrash out a resolution to this dispute – the company knows we are ready to talk whenever they are."
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