News: NOR4NOR stands with Guards

On Friday 12th January, supporters of NOR4NOR stood shoulder to shoulder with Guard members of the RMT Union who were on strike over plans to abolish safety critical Guard roles by Greater Anglia.

The local Norwich Branch of the RMT union organised a 'Party on the Picket Line' on Friday evening to rally support around Guards, who have been on strike three times this week, Friday marking the ninth day of industrial action over opposition to the imposition of Driver Only Operation (DOO). The rally saw support from NOR4NOR activists, Norwich South MP Clive Lewis, the prospective Norwich North candidate Karen Davis and members and Councillors from the Norwich Green Party. Around thirty supporters made it down during the course of the evening in solidarity.

The Norwich picket line was one of hundreds nationwide, with action not just on Greater Anglia, but across on four other franchises: Merseyrail, Northern Rail, Arriva Rail North and South Western Railway.

NOR4NOR supports the industrial action because it is our belief that all trains should be properly staffed, by staff with the proper safety training and competencies that the Guards' currently hold, which is essential to providing the level of public service we expect the railway to be able to deliver.

Photo: RMT Norwich Branch