Eastbourne’s MP has welcomed the suspension of strike action and has promised to press Southern to reinstate services in time for Airbourne.
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Industrial relations on the railways have worsened after workers on Virgin East Coast voted to strike in a dispute over jobs, working conditions and safety.
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.
As commuters struggled to and from work for the fourth successive day peace talks took place at Acas, the conciliation service, in an effort to end the long running dispute.
The company said it will run a full timetable during any strike.
For any updates go to www.southernrailway.com for further information.
RMT members began a five-day walk out on Monday but Southern said it was encouraged by the acceptance of its offer of talks.
RMT’s general secretary Mick Cash said: “The [RMT’s] National Executive Committee has had time to consider this matter and have acknowledged that some progress is being made”.
“Southern and the RMT are returning to talks tomorrow under the auspices of Acas”.
Southern Railway bosses have vowed to operate driver-only trains based on a list of “exceptional circumstances” with or without union backing, it has emerged..
A spokesman said: “On the days of the strike we have made some small changes to our timetable to ensure that all passengers booked to travel will be able to on those days”.
The dispute is said to be over the unsocial work hours and rosters of over 80 train managers.
Southern passengers have been affected by three days of strike action starting on Monday 8.
He said there is “absolutely no excuse” for the strike and added that the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union was holding passengers “to ransom”.
According to Cash, members of Eurostar’s union are determined to sit at the negotiation table until the company guarantees them a harmonious work-life cycle. Southern previously criticised the strikes as “pointless, needless and senseless” but today agreed to re-enter talks.
“The ball is now in their court”.
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The union also staged a protest outside the Department for Transport headquarters in London, accusing the government of sabotaging attempts to reach a deal.
