YEP says: Talking needs to get Northern and RMT union back on track

The Rail and Maritime Union General Secretary Mick Cash has said Northern were “not interested” in resolving the dispute. Meanwhile Northern Rail’s Pete Myers said a couple of weeks ago that management and unions were “not talking” and that there was “no sign of an end” over the strikes.

Although the action has been highlighted as being about who is going to open the door on the train, it’s about more than that. It is about the safety of the travelling public.

Plenty of YEP letter-writers have sent in their views - and a lot say they feel it’s vital to have a guard on the train. Equally though, with the dispute showing no sign of ending, passengers are getting frustrated by both sides.

A few weeks ago John Stewart, RMT Branch Secretary for Leeds City said the solution was in the company’s hands to get round the table for meaningful talks. Now it seems the RMT also wants meaningful talks with the public too,

A series of public meetings have been organised to explain the union’s case and to build public and political support for continued action. There will be some interesting debates no doubt, and maybe a bit of people power can help to get things moving - if that’s what it takes to bring about a solution and end the strikes without compromising passenger safety then bring it on.

Reader’s letter: Why we need guards on trains