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date 12 June 2001 source ScotRail type Press release
Because talks with unions are continuing, ScotRail hopes that threatened strike action by guards on its trains can be averted.
Head of Personnel Donald Macpherson says "Talks are continuing, and I hope that this dispute which is basically about the safety responsibilities of drivers and guards on trains can be resolved without passengers having to suffer massive disruption to services. Strikes are not the sensible way forward. All that is needed is for the RMT to back their argument with a proper risk assessment, and the Safety Rule Book – which individual train companies have no power to change – can be changed for the whole industry.
"Safety is paramount, and we would not be operating any services under our current manning agreements (including on the network supported by Strathclyde Passenger Transport some so-called "Driver Only Operated" services) if they weren’t perfectly legitimate and absolutely safe.
"Train operators do not control the Rule Book or changes to it – that is a matter for Railway Safety Limited - but we guarantee to abide immediately and absolutely with any changes which are agreed.
"Strikes are not the way forward."
NOTES TO EDITORS
Approximately 50% of ScotRail’s 2000 trains daily could be affected. For background to the dispute see ATOC Release issued today. Issued 12 June 2001 by ScotRail Corporate Affairs. Further information from John Boyle, Director of Corporate Affairs tel: 0141 335 4447. Switchboard tel: 0141 332 9811. Email john.boyle@scotrail.co.uk
ATOC tel : 0207-904 3010.
Railnews Archive ::: 2001-06-12 SCO-001
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