RMT welcomes Labour MP Dan Carden’s backing for Merseyrail guards in parliamentary debate
Rail union RMT has welcomed Labour MP Dan Cardens support for their fight to keep the guard on our trains.
The Liverpool Walton Labour MPs has been a solid supporter of the guards and this week Mr Carden secured a special parliamentary debate to press the case to keep a guard on every train.
The following is a extract from a wide-ranging speech from the MP.
“Despite several days of strike action, the public still overwhelmingly back the guards. The entire trade union movement and the north-west TUC support the guards, and the Labour party’s policy is clear: to oppose any extension of DOO. The Welsh Government have now guaranteed a guard on every train for future franchises, and Scotland has made similar long-term arrangements. The shadow Secretary of State wrote to train operators last week to tell them that a Labour Government would halt any plans to extend DOO. Merseytravel’s former chairman, Mark Dowd, remains fully opposed to removing the guards, saying that “common sense should prevail”.
As a result of issues raised in the debate the union has now written to the Metro Mayor seeking an urgent meeting.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said,
“Our members are absolutely delighted at the solidarity Labour MP Dan Carden has shown with their cause through securing this parliamentary debate.
At the same time his debate has also seen constructive proposals put forward to resolve the dispute which will benefit passenger service and safety”.