RMT spokesperson Geoff Martin said talks had been suspended but he expected the strike announcement to “focus minds” and bring management back to the negotiating table.
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The walkout by employees which began on Monday following a bitter row over conductors was due to last for a week.
But not all commuters’ woes have been abated – a strike timetable affecting the train-planning system remains in place.
Southern has rejected the RMT’s offer to suspend the ongoing five-day strike, which today enters its third day, against GTR’s plans to introduce driver-operated only (DOO) trains in the capital. Strikers believe this would compromise passengers’ safety.
Staff will walk out from 00:01 BST on 12 August until 23.59 BST on 15 August, and for three days over the Bank Holiday weekend from 27 August.
Eastbourne’s MP has welcomed the suspension of strike action and has promised to press Southern to reinstate services in time for Airbourne.
But conciliation service Acas has said there would be no strike on Thursday or Friday after Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) agreed to return to negotiations without any preconditions. To make sure that passengers will be on their way during the strike days, the company made some small changes to the train schedule.
It said rail operator Southern had agreed to fresh talks.
United Kingdom labor union RMT plans strikes on Eurostar International Ltd. services this weekend and in late August to protest what it says is the rail operator’s failure to live up to a scheduling program for train managers.
For any updates go to www.southernrailway.com for further information.
The Eurostar action will involve 78 UK-based train managers who claim the company has failed to honour an agreement in 2008 limiting the number of unsocial hours worked by staff.
‘Our members have every right to have a fair work/life balance that fulfils the operational needs of the company while guaranteeing quality time off for friends and family.
Hundreds of thousands of passengers were forced to endure travel misery this week as the strike action took hold.
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Caroline Ansell, Eastbourne MP, said: “I’m delighted the strike has been called off and I would like to thank the RMT for listening to my entreaties and to those of others”.
