RAIL staff operating some train services from Liverpool Street are staging a 24-hour strike next Monday. Members of Britain’s biggest rail union at two major commuter train-operating companies walk out in separate disputes over jobs
RAIL staff operating some train services from Liverpool Street are staging a 24-hour strike next Monday.
Members of Britain’s biggest rail union at two major commuter train-operating companies walk out in separate disputes over jobs.
Around 1,500 RMT members at National Express East Anglia on the Liverpool Street-East Coast line and at First Capital Connect won’t be clocking on for shifts that start any time on March 30, which will affect trains well into Tuesday.
300 JOB LOSSES
“Both these companies want to slash jobs solely to maintain profits and dividends,” said RMT General Secretary Bob Crow.
“It is only five years since National Express promised better booking office facilities, a bright future for on-board catering on Norwich trains, and recruitment of more staff dealing with passengers direct on the East Anglia franchise.
“Now rail staff and the public are faced with 300 job losses, cuts to services and the creeping casualisation of professional railway jobs with the use of agency and contract labour.”
National Express last year saw its UK profits jump 28 per cent, adding to a �60 million payout to shareholders, the union points out.
The union is calling on the companies to shelve unnecessary job cuts and guarantee no forced redundancies.
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