<\/p>\n
\n This comes after members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) employed by Chiltern Railways voted to walk out on October 10 and 17 in protest against proposed driver-only operation (DOO) on East West Rail services.\n<\/p>\n
\n Diana Blamires, co-founder of East West Rail Action Group, said: \u201cChiltern were appointed in March last year.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: Kittens dumped in bin bag rescued by Oxfordshire animal shelter\n<\/p>\n
\n Diana Blamires, co-founder of East West Rail Action Group (Image: Diana Blamires)\n<\/p>\n
\n “Why the hell didn\u2019t the Government and Chiltern sit down with unions last spring and resolve this?\n<\/p>\n
\n “Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has disgracefully sat on her hands refusing to even meet with unions between February and August this year.\n<\/p>\n
\n “So now the train service won\u2019t even open a year late!\n<\/p>\n
\n “The Government must now stop burying its head in the sand and talk with unions and find a solution.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It\u2019s an absolute disgrace.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n The action group is dedicated to getting the East West Rail line between Oxford and Bletchey up and running.\n<\/p>\n
\n They also regularly campaign for the opening of Winslow station, a \u00a35 million project that was completed in 2024 as part of the new East West Rail route.\n<\/p>\n
\n Diana Blamires accused Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander of refusing to meet with unions initially. (Image: Joe Giddens\/PA)\n<\/p>\n
\n Speaking on members of the union voting to take strike action, Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary, said: “The actions of Chiltern management to not take these concerns seriously is totally unacceptable.\n<\/p>\n
\n “RMT will not accept the watering down of safety on the rail network.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Dempsey warned that the plans pose a “significant risk” to safety and the role of train managers.\n<\/p>\n
\n Chiltern Railways said it expects to run most of its services during the strike days.\n<\/p>\n
#7bn #East #West #Rail #strike #action #branded #absolute #disgrace<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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