RMT members on Southern Railway have concluded a successful 24-hour strike. GTR, the part-French owned franchisee, and the largest private franchise in the Britain, wants to abolish the role of guard on trains and introduce Driver Only Operation (DOO) on some of the busiest and most overcrowded services in the country.
As the RMT members point out, guards have to be fully trained in operational safety and route knowledge, including being able to secure the doors safely, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as derailments or fires.
Independent inquiries after train crashes and fatalities have consistently stressed the necessity of on-board staff trained in protection and evacuation procedure.
If there is an accident, anti-social behaviour, or even a terrorist attack, the guard can call for assistance and inform and reassure passengers.
The RMT action was shrewdly designed to hit GTR hard, at the least cost to the members. A 24-hour stoppage disrupted services for twice that time. GMT have now been forced back to talks with the union.