Press release -
GTR and ASLEF reach new agreement to settle dispute
Date: 15 Mar 2017
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), parent company of Southern Railway, and ASLEF today announced they have agreed new terms to settle their dispute.
The agreement will now be put to ASLEF members in Southern in a referendum, with a recommendation from the union’s Executive to accept. Subject to securing the support of ASLEF members, the dispute between the union and Southern will be over.
Mick Whelan, General Secretary of ASLEF, said:
“ASLEF members now have the opportunity to decide on the new terms of the agreed resolution with GTR Southern. This agreement has the full support of the negotiating team and the executive committee, and offers solutions to our concerns, as well as restoring the confidence of all parties, and the travelling public”.
GTR Director Andy Bindon said:
“We’ve had constructive talks with ASLEF and we’re pleased we’ve been able to secure a recommended deal, subject to approval from its members, to end their dispute. It’s been an extraordinarily difficult period for passengers, staff and the regional economy and we are glad we’ve found a way to move forward together. We look forward to restoring good industrial relations with ASLEF”.
The result of the referendum will be on 3 April. Until then, GTR and ASLEF intend to make no further statements.
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For more information email press.office@gtrailway.com or call
Southern and Gatwick Express press office: 0203 750 2030
Thameslink and Great Northern press office: 0203 750 2031
Govia Thameslink Railway
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
Thameslink – services between Bedford and Brighton, Luton/St Albans and Sutton, Wimbledon and Sevenoaks
Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
Gatwick Express – Fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
GTR is now the largest rail franchise in the UK in terms of passenger numbers, trains, revenue and staff: GTR carries about 326 million passenger journeys per year, employs around 6,500 people and generates annual passenger revenues of approximately £1.3bn.
The GTR investment programme for stations includes funding for more CCTV, toilet refurbishments, new retail facilities, help points and car park improvements – as well as plans for increased motorcycle storage and improved transport integration.
southernrailway.com,gatwickexpress.com, thameslinkrailway.comgreatnorthernrail.com
