Last week's 48-hour strike by RMT signal workers in Scotland has forced Network Rail bosses to agree to implement the working directive which they agreed with the union last July. Network Rail management were responsible for strike action last week and the disruption that affected hundreds of thousands of commuters all over the country. NR's intransience caused signallers to lose pay and threw thousands of commuters travel plans into chaos.
The bosses at Network Rail also played fast and loose with passenger safety by their actions, staffing signal boxes with insufficiently trained staff who scabbed during the strike. The RMT said some of the scabs had "only a few hours training". In light of recent tragedy's on the railways and with the fatal crash at Grayrigg, Cumbria still fresh in the public's mind, NR's arrogance defies belief.
Fortunately, RMT officials led by Scottish organiser Phil McGarry convinced NR to come to the discussion table and avoid more strike action over the coming week. The bosses could of course have given a firm agreement to honour their original promise before the action, but did all in their power to cause misery to travellers and RMT members instead. Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary said he was satisfied NR would now implement the agreement in full. "We now hope the matter can be put behind us but the union has warned (management) that any further attempt to renege on this agreement will be met with the reinstatement of strike action".
