Keep the guard on the train - petition and meetings

One of many RMT demonstrations for safety

Train operating companies across the country are beginning to introduce DOO (Driver Only Operation) on their trains. Some companies want to keep a second person on the trains but purely for revenue protection, not passenger safety.

Arguments that DOO trains are just as safe simply do not stand up to scrutiny. Figures obtained in 2017 from RAIB (the Rail Accident Investigation Branch) showed that 80% of the deaths and the most serious injuries in the previous six years had occurred on DOO trains, even though such trains account for only 30% of all trains in the UK. If technology such as CCTV is beneficial, it should be operated by a crew member who can give it their full attention, not someone who needs to concentrate on staying on the correct side of a red signal.

Please sign the petition to Parliament here.

Two RMT public meetings supporting train guards:

Manchester: Thu 15 Nov 6.00pm, The Mechanics Centre, 103 Princess Street, M1 6DD.

Speakers include: Mick Cash RMT General Secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Mayor Andy Burnham, Peter Middleman (North West TUC).

Liverpool: Thu 29 Nov 6.00pm, Liverpool Adelphi Hotel, Ranelagh St, L3 5UL
Speakers include: Steve Hedley, RMT Assistant General Secretary, Dan Carden MP, Lynn Collins, (North West TUC), Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham.

Organising to win the pay ballot: Sat 9 or 16 June

PCS Annual Delegate Conference have voted overwhelmingly to call a national, statutory ballot on pay. We want all our activists and members to get involved and sign up for a special training day on 9 or 16 June.

The emergency motion - here - was carried overwhelmingly by delegates to conference. We will now be entering a period of intense activity when we aim to achieve, not just a long overdue pay rise, but also a stronger, more confident union, rejuvenated by the influx of a wave of new activists. The regional one-day events, to be held on 9 or 16 June, will discuss developing local strategies to deliver an overwhelming yes vote in a ballot.

To win the ballot we need more than 50% of our total membership to vote in the ballot by post. To achieve this we need a strategic approach in every workplace. To this end the strategic workshops will look at:

• Our national pay strategy and how we translate this into local action plans.
• How in each branch we can play to our strengths and minimise the impact of any weaknesses.
• How we engage with those members who don’t come to meetings, and are less likely to vote. 
• How we harness the energy of members currently underrepresented in our union e.g. black, disabled, women, LGBT and young members.
• How we win the next generation of workers (many of whom have no previous experience of trade unions) to become the future of PCS
• Developing a local plan that involves and maximises engagement with our members, particularly those who are less likely to vote.

All meetings will be held on either Saturday 9 or 16 June, starting at 10am and finishing no later than 3pm. Events will be held in the following towns and cities:

Saturday 9 June	Saturday 16 June
London Cardiff Liverpool Leeds Glasgow Peterborough Sheffield	Bristol Manchester Newcastle Birmingham

We are inviting all activists to register now - here. Meetings will be opened up to members who want to participate in the pay campaign and become actively involved in the union more generally, and members in your branches should be encouraged to register and attend.

We hope that every PCS activist and potential activist will join us so that we are able to prepare for the test ahead and ensure we are in the best possible position to win. Complete the form to register your interest now here.

Peter Lockhart
PCS National Organiser