RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it will begin balloting guards on the East Coast Mainline for strike action, and action short of a strike, from Tuesday 25th May following the failure of the company to come up with an acceptable package to compensate guards for the loss of commission income arising from the introduction of automated ticket barriers.
The automation means that the commission from the collection of on-board fares has dropped right off leaving guards seriously out of pocket and driving down their income levels .
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
"Our members have made it clear that the loss of earnings arising from automation on East Coast is totally unacceptable and that they are not prepared to see the position of the guard undermined to the point where these key staff are reduced to become amongst the lowest paid guards in the country.
"The management on the East Coast Mainline needs to show very clearly that they appreciate the role and responsibility of their guards with an offer that fully recognises the loss of income incurred through the installation of ticket barriers.
"RMT continues to remain available for further talks aimed at resolving this dispute on this high-profile and nationally important rail line."
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