On a late gloomy Monday evening in February something happened in Leeds, something unprecedented. The RMT Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Regional Council had the week prior made a decision to begin to mobilise its Arriva Rail North Guard and Driver members for the fight ahead, the fight against Driver Controlled Operation on their franchise.
The Northern Railway franchise agreement stipulates that 50% of passenger train mileage is required to be DCO (Driver Controlled Operation) - That's a massive amount that could potentially see Depots close and a reduction in staff at the bigger Depots.
With 3 days notice 80 Traincrew members from across the region, arrived at the Queens Hotel, Leeds to voice their opinions on DCO and to listen to the RMT Leadership of Micky Thompson, Steve Hedley and Andy Budds detail how we are going to fight it.
Those members present, absolutely disgusted by the events on the Southern and agreements made by other Organisations, were left in no doubt whatsoever that this will be a long, drawn out fight and they are more than ready for it!.
