Train guards consider strike

A survey suggests passengers want guards on trains

Thousands of rail workers are voting on whether to stage a series of strikes over the role of guards on trains.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are being balloted over complaints that the safety duties of guards are being watered down.

Guards from 24 companies are being asked if they want to take industrial action.

The union has published a survey which suggests that there is "deep opposition" from the public to trains running without fully trained guards.

The RMT stands shoulder to shoulder with passengers in demanding higher safety standards on our railway

Bob Crow
RMT union

Two rail companies, Thameslink and West Anglia Great Northern, are not involved in the dispute as their trains run without guards.

In the survey published by the RMT, the majority of 645 people surveyed said reducing the safety role of guards could have a negative impact on rail safety.

Bob Crow, the RMT union's assistant general secretary, said the survey showed clearly that people knew guards saved lives.

"The guard on the Great Western train involved in the Paddington crash was rightly praised for his role in helping passengers.

"How much worse would that accident have been without a guard on board.

"The RMT stands shoulder to shoulder with passengers in demanding higher safety standards on our railway."

The ballot result will be announced next month.