Why YOU could end up paying compensation to South Western Railway for RMT strikes
TAXPAYERS could end up footing the bill for millions of pounds’ worth of compensation being claimed by South Western Railway as a result of a series of strikes being staged by the RMT union, it has been revealed.
More are planned for for Tuesday, as well as August 4, 11 and 18 August, and over two days starting at 12.01am on Friday August 31 and finishing at 11.59pm on Saturday September 1.
Speaking just before the Parliamentary recess, Transport minister Jo Johnson this week confirmed that SWT – which also runs services into Clapham Junction besides Waterloo – had applied to government to have any revenue losses reimbursed.
However, he stressed that no payments have yet been made as the application is still being assessed.
assengers and taxpayers will now be appalled to learn that Ministers are preparing to pay South Western Railway to not to run trains during strike days
If approved, this money would come out of the public purse.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “We already knew that South Western Railway were in financial crisis.
“Passengers and taxpayers will now be appalled to learn that Ministers are preparing to pay South Western Railway to not to run trains during strike days.
“The fact that the rail minister originally sought to withhold this information and then slipped it out after MPs have broken up for the summer recess underlines that they know the public will be furious at this outrage.”
However, a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: "It is untrue to say the government is paying South Western Railway not to run trains during strike action – the company is running the maximum number of trains possible.
“This pointless action by the RMT is not about jobs or safety.
“The independent rail regulator has ruled that driver-controlled trains, which have been used in this country for 30 years, are safe.
“Staff have also had jobs and pay guaranteed for the length of the franchise which runs until 2024.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash defends strike action
“Instead of attempting to disrupt passengers summer holidays, we urge the RMT to stop pushing its members into taking action to interrupt services.”
SWR said in a statement: “This is the RMT trying to detract from the damaging strikes which they have called, and which only they have the power to call off.
“Yesterday, thanks to the determination and hard work of our employees, we ran nearly 70 percent of our normal service. So we are definitely not being paid to cancel trains.
“We thank passengers for their patience yesterday and urge the RMT to end this dispute. The proposal we have put to the RMT is very similar to the deal recently agreed with Greater Anglia.
“The RMT needs to tell us, and our passengers, why this is this not acceptable on South Western Railway.”