Rail union backs strike over sacked safety rep

Earlier this month members of the RMT rail union at Waterloo station voted five to one in favour of strike action in support of a sacked safety rep. The union argues that Sarah Friday, the RMT health and safety rep for train drivers at the Waterloo Depot, was victimised by South West Trains for being an effective safety rep. The union was planning strike action on 25 and 31 March in order to win her reinstatement.

Friday was summarily sacked on 15 February for not carrying out a manager's instruction to work on a train. She was unable to do so because she had been kept for a formal interview by management. This concerned a claim by management that she had failed to hand over her safety critical identity and track safety card - a charge she denies - and for failing to advise a supervisor that she needed to use the toilet. The latter charge was later dropped. Vernon Hince, RMT assistant general secretary told Bargaining Report that the union would also be backing Sarah at an employment tribunal, and was looking for interim relief, which would mean that she would be paid until the case is heard at a tribunal.