As you will be aware, the RMT union are due to hold strike action on Greater Anglia this week, on the 3 and 5 of October.
I have been in touch with Greater Anglia and understand the company is intending to run a full train service, and does not expect any strike related disruption for Brentwood and Ongar commuters. The operator, Abellio, has been able to safety-train additional staff as conductors, who will provide the necessary cover to enable normal services to operate.
Richard Dean, Train Service Delivery Director, Greater Anglia said: "We’re keen to talk to the RMT to try and resolve the issues involved and to avert industrial action. In the event of industrial action going ahead on Tuesday 3 October and Thursday 5 October, we’d like to reassure customers that we have contingency plans in place and intend to run a full service. We value our conductors highly and we have guaranteed their jobs until the end of the franchise in October 2025. In fact, we will be recruiting additional conductors, as we are replacing all of our trains with brand new trains from 2019, which will enable us to run more services.”
The Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling, has also issued the following information to passengers:
"It is evident that the RMT is using passengers as pawns in their political game. Although the dispute is between the union and the train operator I have called on the RMT to call off this needless strike action and return to talks with the operator.
It is clear that this dispute is not about jobs. Guards on Greater Anglia have been offered an eight year job guarantee. And as you may be aware, the driver already operates the doors on 60% of services on Greater Anglia, including key commuter routes. Nor is the RMT’s dispute about safety, as the independent rail regulator has ruled that driver-controlled trains are safe.
In fact, Greater Anglia are working to deliver the improved services passengers have asked for, it is the RMT who are taking premature strike action. In 2019/20, Greater Anglia are replacing all of their trains with brand new trains – in line with what passengers have requested. Greater Anglia are introducing 1000 new carriages, which have yet to be brought in. These trains will be fitted with the latest modern technology, allowing drivers to operate the doors.
As you will be aware, drivers controlling the doors improves both safety and punctuality, as well as freeing up conductors for more customer facing duties – which passengers tell us they value.
I want all parties to put passengers first on our railways. I cannot make the RMT call off industrial action, however I urge them, in the strongest possible terms, to cease their ongoing attempts to disrupt passengers’ lives."
I hope the industrial action does not affect your travel plans this week, but if you have any comments about this issue please get in touch with me via the contact form on this website.