Rail firm wants to solve dispute (From Witney Gazette)

Rail firm wants to solve dispute

RAIL operator First Great Western says it is committed to solving a dispute with its guards and drivers, who have voted to go on strike.

In a statement issued after the RMT union revealed the results of a ballot of members over what it says is a breakdown in industrial relations, the firm said it was "open to finding a realistic solution to issues the RMT raises".

The statement said: "At this stage the detail is not clear about what the RMT plans.

"We are asking the RMT to keep talking, and want to keep working with the union."

FGW said managers were meeting union officials tomorrow.

The union is angry about the use of managers to operate trains, but FGW said: We have as a last resort used fully-qualified, safety-trained managers working as guards to crew trains. The decision to keep services going because staff are unavailable is only taken when all other possibilities have been exhausted. We will not compromise safety."

The result of a strike ballot of drivers who are members of the Aslef union is expected shortly.