GOVIA THAMESLINK RAILWAYS STAFFING CUTS

That this House expresses its concern that GTR are proposing that all its train services will be driver only operation with no guards; is further concerned that GTR have not withdrawn proposals to close scores of ticket offices; is dismayed that as GTR is partly owned by the French state railways profits will be going to support French railways while UK passengers endure staffing cuts; is also concerned that these developments have now led to industrial unrest and strike action with GTR management aggressively threatening staff rather than attempting to reach a negotiated settlement; believes that at a time of record growth in passenger numbers passengers want more staff, including a guard on every train and keeping ticket offices open; and therefore calls on GTR to withdraw its staffing cut proposals and reach a negotiated settlement.