Northern Rail threatened with all-out strike over agency staff

Union bosses say despite protests, Northern Rail - which runs more trains every day in Yorkshire than any other operator - has continued to use agency and sub-contracted labour for core work which should be carried out by RMT members employed directly by the company.

Around half the staff at Northern Rail - including drivers, guards, booking staff and cleaners - who are RMT members are to be balloted next week over strike action. Craig Johnston, RMT officer for the Yorkshire region, said the operator’s use of contract and agency staff had reached “epidemic” proportions.

He said: “We have always been flexible, if there is a need to use contractors on a particular initiative. But we have an epidemic of contractors now.

“We now have a shadow workforce on cheap terms and labour conditions undermining and threatening the existing jobs.

“What we want is these staff taken in-house and directly employed by Northern Rail. No-one wants strike action - it’s a last resort.”

Mr Johnston said should strike action occur, there would be “very little moving” in West Yorkshire.

Adrian Thompson, HR Director, Northern Rail, said the contractors worked in ‘revenue protection duties’ at stations - checking passengers’ tickets - and the company did not want to put them out of work. The claim that the company was gradually replacing employees with agency staff was “completely unfounded and untrue”.

The RMT is balloting members for strike action over what they have called a ‘Breakdown in Industrial Relations’. This refers to seven items, of which six are resolved in principle.

The only outstanding issue is the use of contracts for revenue protection work at stations.

Northern contracts this work to two organisations, one of which has been undertaking these duties, for 13 years, since before the Northern franchise began, the other was introduced on a trial basis in 2012 with a commitment to review progress with the RMT in May this year. Their staff carry out revenue protection duties at stations, ensuring that passengers have a valid ticket.

Adrian Thompson, HR Director, Northern Rail said: “The RMT has demanded that Northern either sacks or employs the 260 people employed on these contracts. The RMT is claiming that Northern is gradually replacing employees with ‘agency staff’ a claim that is completely unfounded and untrue.

“We do not want to put these people out of work. These contracts carry out a vital role, ensuring that passengers have valid tickets and those fares are fully captured to reinvest into building a better railway. The changes that the RMT is demanding would also potentially breach the rules governing the last 12 months of our franchise agreement.”

Northern has 4,900 employees across the north of England. The RMT represents a number of grade groups which include conductors and station and retail employees.

The RMT ballot opens on Tuesday 7 May and closes on Monday 20 May. If there is a vote for strike action then the earliest possible date a strike could take place would be on Monday 27 May.