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Cally Sleeper workers walk out amid safety concerns
by Our News Desk
WORKERS on the sleeper train between London and Scotland are striking today after privateer bosses failed to address safety concerns that could be dangerous to the staff and public.
Members of rail union RMT started their 48-hour walkout at 6.30pm yesterday evening after late-night talks on Monday failed to make any progress.
The union accused Serco — which was handed the 15-year franchise for the service by the Scottish government starting this March — of having “no intention of reaching a solution” to the catalogue of problems, including disconnected smoke detectors, inoperable toilets and wheel flats.
It says there are currently over 200 defects on the trains.
Scottish politicians have joined RMT’s protest at the “arcane” privatisation rules that mean Serco could have all profit lost due to the strike — an estimated £300,000 — reimbursed by the taxpayer.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said workers were “left with no option but to put on industrial action before someone is injured.
“Serco is a company who are specialists in failure when it comes to public-sector contracts and RMT has no intention of allowing them to get away with compromising the safety of staff and passengers on the sleeper service.
“We are sure that the public will understand the issues that have forced us into this dispute and will back their rail workers against this profiteering company.”
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