Rail union RMT has accused rail operator Southern GTR of attempting to train 40 ‘scab’ replacement workers in two days of classroom talks. The union says the company intends to use these managers to work as on-board supervisors (OBS) on its strike days over safety.

RMT described the move as “kamikaze safety control” and has written to the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) demanding that it intervenes and stops the “terrifying” use of replacements.

In a letter to the regulator, RMT general secretary Mick Cash noted the “watered down” classroom training “demonstrates the cultural safety style that this company operates in, a kamikaze mentality and by any means a desperate drive to thrash health and safety protocols and standards.”

The letter continued: “Have Southern GTR made you aware of their strike busting proposals to introduce an even less safe way of working? RMT will be bringing this matter to our members’ attention, along with the media and public, we will be closely monitoring the operation should you not intervene and we will write to you once again outlining our reports and images of what went wrong and the unprecedented manoeuvre by the company to further water down and breach health and safety standards within the railway industry.”

The union leader’s letter concluded: “The message this is sending to railway workers across the industry is terrifying. I would request that you urgently intervene in this proposed Southern GTR situation and let me know of your investigation, observations and findings.”