Strike Action To Disrupt Sunday Train Services From Market Harborough

Strike action will disrupt Sunday train services from Market Harborough for the next six weeks as a reduced timetable is put place.

Train managers working for East Midlands Railway will walk-out in a row over safety concerns, centred on staffing levels on new trains serving stations between Corby and London.

The RMT Union has called the action, which the train says is ‘completely unwarranted and unjustified’.

Market Harborough Railway Station

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “East Midlands Railway has introduced new working arrangements for Class 360 trains without any formal agreement with RMT.

“RMT believes that the Class 360 method of working that the company has imposed is not safe and that a second safety-critical person, preferably a train manager, should be in each portion of the multi-unit trains.”

An East Midlands Railway spokesperson, said: “The safety of our customers and our staff will never be comprised or put at risk.

“This strike action by the RMT is completely unwarranted and unjustified. EMR consulted with the RMT for six months before these trains were brought into service and the RMT signed the resulting risk assessment.

“As a result of this unnecessary action, EMR will be introducing a reduced Sunday timetable for EMR Connect and EMR Intercity services. `

“Temporary timetables will be published shortly and passengers are advised to check www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk.”