As expected, strikes have started again this week with more scheduled over following weeks.
But what is the disagreement between Southern Railway and the RMT trade union? In a press statement issued by Southern on Wednesday, October, 12, it seems clear the difference has been refined down to Southern wanting a train to run if an On Board Supervisor (OBS) has been scheduled to join a train but is not available (for whatever reason – say a late incoming train with the scheduled OBS onboard). Southern says that the RMT, in those circumstances, wants the train delayed or cancelled.
In summary, Southern says its objective is that “customers will come first” and the train will run. The RMT (probably with the same objective) says it should not run.
Now here’s a question for the moral maze or maybe the Health and Safety Executive – is it true to say a customer’s interests are being put first if a train service is allowed to run without an OBS on-board? Passengers, on a one-off basis, keen to get on with their journey may well want to take the risk (Southern say there is no risk) and let the train run without an OBS. But should a regulatory authority, evaluating the general case, permit this approach to safety? The RMT suggests not.
What are the views of passengers (if you find a train to travel on)?
Photo: John Minter
I have very rarely travelled on a Southern train (whether the Marsh Flyer or the Hastings-London line) without at some station, usually small and unmanned, the conductor having to manipulate the ramps for a disabled passenger.
I’m sure Stuart, for all his impatience and dare I say anti-union irritation, would not expect the driver to lock his cab and walk down the platform to complete that task himself.
Or perhaps we are suggesting that disabled passengers should no longer be allowed to travel?