RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it has suspended strike action involving station staff on Govia Thameslink scheduled for next Wednesday after significant progress was made in talks held at ACAS yesterday. [....]
 
The core elements of the agreement in the ticket offices and station staffing dispute are as follows:
 
•         The new arrangements will be trialled at eight locations with the pilots closely monitored by the unions
•         Ticket offices will remain open and staffed during the trial period
•         There will be no extension beyond the trial period without union agreement through a Joint Working Party
•         The trials will prevent a situation arising where lone workers are left carrying cash
•         There is an absolute guarantee that no jobs will be lost and there will be no changes to terms and conditions. Staff volunteering for the trials will be paid an additional £1000.
 
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
 
“It is a testament to the solidarity and determination of our station staff members on Govia Thameslink that we have been able to achieve significant progress in the talks at ACAS that have enabled us to suspend next week’s action. The leverage from the vote for strike action has been pivotal in securing the package of measures that will protect jobs, safety and the services we deliver to the travelling public [...]
 
 
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