South West Trains cuts 480 jobs

This week, a plan by SWT to scrap some tickets offices was blocked

Train cuts see 100 carriages axed

Rail company South West Trains (SWT) is to cut 480 jobs.

It blamed "reduced passenger growth and an increasingly challenging economic climate" for the decision.

Train drivers, guards and frontline fleet maintenance staff are unaffected, with the cuts coming from management, administration and other positions.

Unions have said the job cuts are "completely unjustified" and will be resisted given that the firm increased fares by 6% this month.

SWT, which operates routes through Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and London, said it made the decision to ensure it could operate efficiently.

The announcement comes on the same day a leaked memo to the BBC revealed that SWT has been running about 100 shorter-length trains a day to save money.

The company said that taking into account existing vacancies and posts which have been withdrawn, the actual number of people losing their jobs would be about 200.

Decisive action now... will allow us to maintain high-quality train services for our customers"

SWT spokesman

A spokesman said: "There will inevitably be changes to how we manage a number of areas of our operation.

"We are also very aware that these proposed changes will be difficult for those staff affected.

"But we are all aware we are operating in an unprecedented economic environment, which is affecting all areas of the economy from the public sector and voluntary organisations to small businesses and major companies.

"We expect this challenging climate to continue through 2009 and into 2010.

"Decisive action now... will allow us to maintain high-quality train services for our customers."

'Kick in the teeth'

The company has begun talks with trades unions over the plan.

But unions have reacted angrily.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said SWT's parent company Stagecoach had taken huge profits out of the industry and had recently increased its shareholders' dividend by 33.3%.

RMT secretary Bob Crow, said: "These privateers are supposed to be running a public service, but as soon as their massive profits come under threat the first people to suffer are the people who actually do the work.

There is no way that SWT can cut these jobs without affecting the quality of service

Bob Crow, RMT

"There is no way that SWT can cut these jobs without affecting the quality of service that passengers receive and putting a greater burden on the workforce that remains.

"These cuts represent a kick in the teeth to rail workers and passengers alike and RMT will resist compulsory redundancies with every means at its disposal," Bob Crow said.

Gerry Doherty, leader of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said the decision was "outrageous".

"They have seen record profits last year and this is yet another way of maintaining those profit levels," he said.

"We shall fight any attempt at compulsory job losses."

A leaked memo to BBC South revealed that SWT has been cutting the length of nearly 100 trains a day to save money.

The firm, which runs about 1,700 services a day, said the move affected daytime and weekend rail users and not rush-hour passengers.

A SWT spokeswoman said shorter trains used less electricity so the move was "good housekeeping". The programme to cut train lengths has already begun.

Jocelyn Pearson, of Passenger Focus, said: "If this saves money without inconveniencing passengers then we have no objections."