The RMT transport union has told its members to climb down in their dispute over downgrading rail conductors — but ordered them to continue with three days of strikes this week.
Mick Cash, the RMT’s general secretary, wrote to conductors on the Southern network on Friday advising them to accept new contracts and become “onboard supervisors”. The letter, seen by The Sunday Times, marks a significant retreat after five strikes since April, covering a total of nine days.
The dispute centres on a decision to extend driver- operated trains across the network, which covers Surrey and East and West Sussex. This involves changing the role of conductors, transferring the responsibility for operating train doors from them to the drivers. Some trains may also run without a second person on board, a move the RMT claims would be unsafe.
The conductors were asked by the company to sign up to the new roles by November 4 or face losing their jobs in the new year.
In his letter, Cash described the choice facing the conductors as “very serious”, adding: “It would be irresponsible if your union did not provide you with the advice that, most importantly, protects your employment, as that is the first duty the RMT has towards its members.
“Your union has therefore taken very serious consideration of the matter and would advise you to volunteer for the OBS [onboard supervisor] roles . . .”
The company said that if the RMT had climbed down a day earlier, the conductors could have received an improved pay offer, including a £2,000 lump sum. That offer was, however, withdrawn by the company at midday on Thursday.
Charles Horton, Southern’s chief executive, said the decision “sets new standards in union militancy”.
“They reject an offer one day, tell conductors to sign up to the role the next, but then still issue a clarion call to strike about it a few days later. Their own union has lost them each a £2,000 bonus for a deal they then tell them to sign 24 hours later.”
Despite advising the conductors to accept the new roles, Cash’s letter states that this week’s planned walkout, from Tuesday morning until the end of Thursday, “remains firmly on”. It forms part of 14 days of strike action planned over the autumn.
“The clear legal advice we have received also makes clear that whatever steps are taken in terms of the imposition of the OBS role by management, this dispute will still be lawful and all further strike action will be legitimate.”
One conductor said he believed the RMT was continuing to fight in an attempt to win a guarantee that there would always be a second member of staff on board the trains.
“Obviously it is a body-blow that those changes are going to be forced through, but . . . I don’t see it has really dented the determination of most of the guys and girls to keep fighting.”
The RMT said: “There is no climb-down from the union. Our dispute remains on, and the fight for safety continues, despite the bullying and threats from Southern.
“We have a duty to issue our members with clear legal advice that protects their position in the teeth of the threat of mass sackings. That is what we have done.”
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