ARRIVA TRAINS WALES DISPUTE

That this House is deeply concerned at the ongoing dispute between Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union; believes that the company's proposals to introduce compulsory Sunday overtime are not only unjust but in the current economic climate, with mass unemployment disproportionately affecting Wales, run contrary to increasing employment levels; notes that ATW's proposals are not born out of business necessity as there is not an issue with Sunday coverage and that in this context the changes can only be understood as an attack on the terms and conditions of RMT members; fully supports the right of workers to decline additional hours over and above their contracted hours and also their right to choose whether or not they work on their days off; and calls on ATW to end the uncertainty for passengers, rail workers and businesses and examine with RMT proposals to improve train drivers' work-life balance which would improve rail safety and help resolve the dispute.