More strikes announced on c2c

SERVICES by train operating company c2c look set to be hit by a third day of strike action by guards tomorrow (Wednesday 18 July). Talks between c2c management and the RMT union are continuing in a bid to avert that strike and another announced for Wednesday 1 August.

The RMT is bringing the industrial action over the ongoing dispute relating to the role of the guard and the Driver Only Operation (DOO) of trains. c2c believe that the RMT are breaking an earlier agreement. In December 1999, the union signed up to a phased introduction of Driver Only Operation on c2c, linked to the company's introduction of its new £300 million high-tech Electrostar train fleet, which feature state-of-the-art safety features, replacing old slam-door stock.

On the basis of the agreement, the company has already invested several million pounds on the preparatory work towards DOO, including platform modifications and upgraded lighting.

Dominic Booth, Managing Director of c2c said: "Not only did the RMT sign the agreement with us back in 1999 for DOO, but we have given them assurances that it will not be extended further. Other train operators who have given similar guarantees have seen strike action called off, but the RMT appears to wish to treat c2c differently. We simply don't feel we have a dispute with them and that they should call the strikes off.

"If the RMT want to see changes to areas of the Rule Book relating to DOO in the wider sense, they should be talking to Railtrack's Railway Safety organisation. They have the power to make any changes, but as a train operating company we don't. We have said all along that if Railway Safety decides on any changes we will be only too happy to comply and follow them to the letter.

"This is a purely political action on the part of the RMT - we don't believe it's anything to do with rail safety. The people who are going to suffer because of this are our passengers, struggling to get to work in London on Wednesday, as the strike means we can only run about 25% of our peak train services.

"By carrying out these unjustified strikes and targeting our customers the RMT is clearly reneging on the agreement they signed with us and they haven't been able to give us a satisfactory explanation for their actions. Our door remains open and we are having talks with the union to try and get these needless strikes called off, but at this stage it looks as though they will still go ahead."

Of the company's 130 guards, half are members of the RMT union, which means the strike action will have a big impact on services. Tomorrow an emergency timetable will be in operation, allowing around a quarter of peak trains and half of off-peak trains to run. Copies of the emergency timetable have been handed out to passengers at stations today.

Passengers can also use their c2c tickets on the neighbouring Great Eastern route from Southend Victoria to Liverpool Street in London. And for customers living closer to London, their c2c tickets will be valid on London Underground services between Upminster and Tower Hill.

c2c will only be able to run 11 of its normal 47 morning peak trains and 17 of its normal 44 evening peak trains. But despite a 25% service level, with lengthened trains increasing capacity, the company estimates it could still carry up to 15,000 of its normal 25,000 customers who commute to the City every weekday. Details have been posted on this website and via other media, including station announcements.

Stations that will not be served by this restricted peak service are Upminster, Barking, Chafford Hundred and Ockendon. Upminster and Barking passengers can use the London Underground services there to travel.

Trains into London will stop at West Ham and Limehouse in the morning peak to drop passengers but not in the evening peak for safety reasons. In the evening, passengers returning from Docklands Light Railway stations will need to travel via Tower Gateway to Fenchurch Street, rather than interchanging at Limehouse or West Ham. c2c tickets will be valid on DLR/LU services.

Further details on Wednesday's services are available from c2c station staff, via this website or from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.