RMT calls for urgent meeting with transport secretary over cuts, safety and services.

Transport union RMT today called for urgent talks with re-appointed transport secretary Chris Grayling over the axing of guards by train companies, the impact of budget cuts at Transport for London and the threat to safety of major cuts at Network Rail. The union is also calling for top level talks on the future of Britain's maritime industry.

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"Despite their protests in the past everyone knows that Government ministers have been calling the shots on the axing of the guards on rail franchises like Southern, Northern and Merseyrail. With no parliamentary majority to hide behind Chris Grayling should be called to account for his actions and RMT wants urgent talks with a reversal of the guards threat, along with the safety-critical cuts at TFL and Network Rail, right at the top of the agenda.

"RMT is sick and tired up ministers ignoring their transport staff and treating the unions like dirt. They have connived to prop up greedy, failing rail companies, doling out austerity cuts that threaten public safety while protecting private profit. Chris Grayling has not lifted a finger to help resolve the guards' disputes to date.  The idea that this nonsense can continue after last Thursday is ludicrous.

"RMT also wants an urgent ‎meeting over the state of our maritime industry in the UK which has been hung out to dry by successive Governments. That has also got to stop and RMT's plan for quality jobs and conditions, and an end to social dumping and the Ships of Shame, should be treated with the ‎seriousness it deserves rather than the contempt of the past."