RMT announces five days of strike action by conductors

n response to news by the RMT that its conductor members are to strike between 0001 on Monday 8 August and 2359 on Friday 12 August, Govia Thameslink Railway Chief Operating Officer Dyan Crowther said:

“It is unacceptable that passengers are being made to suffer five days of disruption all because the RMT is refusing to work with us and modernise the railway for the benefit of our customers. We have guaranteed all our onboard staff a job until the end of the franchise, as valued members of our future operation, with no reduction in salary.

“We value the work of our staff, who are trying their best to deliver service levels that passengers expect. The sooner we can introduce the essential modernisation that our railways desperately need, the sooner we will address the current capacity and performance issues and deliver a better service for our passengers.

“Contrary to the RMT’s accusation, we have always been open to talks and remain so. Only this week we spoke with the General Secretary Mick Cash about further talks and he has been unwilling to enter into discussion.”