RMT threatens travel disruption could spread across the UK as it sets deadlines for assurances from Arriva Rail North and Merseyrail January 11, 2017 The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has threatened to take travel disruption across the country, after it set a deadline to two train companies for assurances on the role of the guard. It has told both Merseyrail and Arriva Rail North, which trades as Northern, that it wants assurances over the "safety critical role [...]
End of the (railway) line? The Canadian pension giants that own HS1 have brought in Bank of America to explore a £3.6bn potential sale January 15, 2017 The two Canadian pension giants that own the high-speed railway connecting London to the Channel Tunnel have appointed a US investment bank to explore a sale of the line. The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Borealis have brought in Bank of America Merrill Lynch to handle a £3.6bn potential sale of the 109km HS1 line that [...]
RMT staffing row flares ahead of fresh talks with Southern rail tomorrow February 13, 2017 It might be Valentine's Day tomorrow but don't expect love to be in the air when the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Southern rail meet for fresh talks. The talks, which will be held at conciliation service Acas, are aimed at resolving the long-running dispute over the role of the guard, after train drivers' union [...]
Here’s how one MP thinks strikes like the Southern rail ones can be avoided in the future December 14, 2016 Transport secretary Chris Grayling has been mulling over a range of measures to stop the Southern rail crisis being repeated in the future. And Chris Philp, MP for Croydon South, thinks he just might have the answer. Or at least part of it. The MP has laid out proposals for three major changes to legislation he [...]
Tube strike travel chaos: Great Northern services aren’t running between Finsbury Park and Moorgate January 9, 2017 Great Northern Rail has warned that no services are running between Finsbury Park and Moorgate station this morning. The news comes as London commuters deal with transport chaos brought on by the latest round of Tube strikes. Problems on the line into Moorgate began last night, due to the Tube workers' industrial action, and are continuing [...]
Why unleashing competition would deliver lower fares and greater choice to rail passengers January 9, 2017 The UK’s rail passengers are suffering, and will no doubt continue to do so over the coming months. Union action is bringing the network to a standstill, with further strikes planned for this week. The level of sickness leave among train staff has also been mysteriously increasing, and has doubled compared to pre-strike levels, according [...]
Southern Rail sets out eight-point plan in open letter to RMT as it attempts to avert more strikes October 3, 2016 Southern Rail's owner has made a final attempt to break the deadlock in its long-running industrial dispute with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. A series of five walkouts between 48 and 72-hours are planned in the coming weeks with the first starting on 11 October. And Govia has upped its efforts by setting out an eight-point plan that [...]
As Tube strike causes chaos for the capital’s commuters, more travel headaches are on the cards January 9, 2017 A 24-hour Tube strike started yesterday evening, marking the first action in a week of more travel turmoil for travellers – and the action could be set to spread. The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association refused a last-ditch offer yesterday, which had already been dismissed by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. As a result, [...]
IoD calls on government to forget cash injections and focus on infrastructure and skills for its industrial strategy January 21, 2017 The government's much-hyped industrial strategy needs to focus on UK infrastructure and shoring up skills, rather than cash support for individual firms, business leaders have said. A new Institute of Directors (IoD) survey of over 800 members found almost nine in 10 back the development of a joined-up plan – set to be published next [...]
London Underground Tube drivers announce 24-hour strike starting 6 December – the same day as the next Southern walkout November 24, 2016 London Underground Tube drivers will go on strike for 24 hours in December, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced today. The strike, which relates to drivers on the Piccadilly and Hammersmith and City Lines, will start at 21:30 on 6 December – the same day Southern workers are also due to go on [...]