Hundreds of thousands of train commuters in London and southern England were facing misery on Monday as rail staff began a five-day strike in a safety row over who opens and closes the doors.
Advertisement
“The union believes that there is a deal to be done based around the ScotRail principles and that we need to pick up on the progress that was being made when the talks broke down on Friday afternoon”.
During the strike, Southern Rail is advising people a significantly reduced service will take place between Brighton and London, with travellers warned the trains which are running will be extremely busy. “On trains where the driver can control the door, we want to modify the role of conductor and evolve it into a new role where the second person is still on the train to give customers good service”.
RMT argues that trains will be allowed to leave without a conductor, which will make the rail network less safety for passengers. The union should accept the generous offer being made to them by the train operator and get their members back to work.
Govia Thameslink chief executive Charles Horton said the RMT action was “completely unacceptable, unjustified and unnecessary” and he apologised for the “inconvenience and disruption to passengers’ lives as a result”.
He said the ballot turnout was over 80 per cent and 77 per cent of the union’s total membership at Southern voted to strike.
“These numbers easily outstrip the hurdles proposed for union ballots by the Tory right in terms of both turnout and the majority in favour of action”, said a union statement.
At present, it is the role of conductors – but Southern Rail wants it to become the job of drivers, arguing it will result in faster and more punctual services and will not threaten any jobs or pay.
Southern published full details of an eight-point written offer to the union which was tabled during talks at conciliation service Acas last week, which collapsed without agreement.
If it lasts for as long as planned, the strike will be the longest walkout on a British rail service for nearly 50 years.
Theresa May “strongly condemns” the strike action, Downing Street said.
Industrial relations on the railways worsened after RMT members on Virgin East Coast voted to strike in a separate dispute over jobs, working conditions and safety, backing walkouts by 84%, with nine out of 10 supporting other forms of industrial action.
And what about the Government – are they doing anything to resolve the dispute?
A five-day strike on the Southern Rail network has started on 8 August, which will see 40% of normal services cancelled for the majority of the week.
Union officials said that it was about money and that some trains will run without guards who will in any case be used to sell more tickets and issue more penalty fares.
Advertisement
“The Prime Minister strongly condemns the strike action”, the spokeswoman said.
