Cromwell Inn Indian Cuisine Come in and visit us for the ďŹ nest food in town
01256 476828
Cromwell Inn Indian Cuisine Great BinďŹ elds Rd, Lychpit, Basingstoke RG24 8TF
www.cromwellindiancuisine.com
Thursday, September 7 - Wednesday, September 13, 2017
NEED A TAXI? CALL
ALPHA TAXIS
01256 444 444
Short & long term secure storage for home or business
Open 7 days a week 8am – 8pm Easy access, all on one level Security alarms, CCTV cameras and 24 hr surveillance
t: 0118 982 0788 e: tadley@barn-store.co.uk
www.barn-store.co.uk
To advertise call Basingstoke Observer on 01256 952180
www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk
READING
Make wishes of organ donation known to your family, say NHS
WAREHOUSES See our advert on p4
TEL 0118 981 4188
FREE
Page 9
TAKE ONE
Commuters hit by strike fears in row over guards Staff to be balloted over action By Adam Flinn COMMUTERS in Basingstoke could be in for a tough time after trade union RMT declared a formal dispute with rail operator South Western Railway over train guards. Staff are being balloted on whether to take strike action after RMT said it had not been given “clear, cast-iron assurances� over the future of guards by the franchise holder First MTR. They will be asked whether to begin strike action or action short of a strike in the form of a ban on overtime and a rest day working ban. Guards, commercial guards and driver members on South Western Railway will be included in the ballot. RMT’s general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT has given repeated opportunities for First MTR to give us the assurances we have sought over the future role of the guards on their trains throughout the length of the new South Western franchise. “They have refused to give us those guarantees and it is that failure which leaves RMT with no option but to declare a formal dispute with the company and to move towards a ballot for action. “This dispute can be easily resolved if the company is prepared to stick to existing agreements, give staff and passengers alike a guarantee of a second, safety-critical member of
staff on all current services, and an assurance that safety and access are the absolute priority. “RMT remains available for talks.� The future of guards on trains has seen numerous, well-publicised strikes on Southern Rail this year, with cancellations and delays affecting thousands of commuters. First MTR only took over the South Western Railway franchise, which operates the train line Basingstoke is on, on August 20. However in a statement, South Western Railway said it plans to increase the number of drivers and guards, and called the ballot announcement “very premature�. The statement read: “This dispute is unnecessary, we have made it perfectly clear that we plan to retain a second person on our services as we know that our passengers value the assurance and assistance a second member of on-board staff provides. “During our franchise we will increase the numbers of drivers and guards so we can deliver more services for passengers. “We look forward to talking with our teams and the trade unions about how we can work together to deliver the best possible service for passengers. “In fact we already have a meeting in the diary with the RMT, which makes this announcement very premature.�
Inspiring others to pick up their plastic Bex Band from Basingstoke and her happy band of kayakers have been paddling almost 200 miles in a bid to rid waterways in southern England of plastic and raise awareness of the pollution and damage to wildlife it can cause in the Paddle Pickup challenge. Turn to page 3 for full story
) )
* + , - #- " . /0 +1 , .2 ) ./1 3
% & 4 3 5'''
!"#$
% & '( ((
6 %
+ (2 0+, 5( 3
% & 4'5 ' 33
# 1 0 0, +