Southern calls on RMT to suspend conductor strike
Southern has called again on the RMT to suspend its strike action after confirming that over 70% of its trains will run tomorrow (Monday 23 January) with a full service returning on Tuesday.
Southern has called again on the RMT to suspend its strike action after confirming that over 70% of its trains will run tomorrow (Monday 23 January) with a full service returning on Tuesday.
Southern will restore its full train service from next Tuesday now that the drivers' union ASLEF has suspended its industrial action.
“We've always made clear our willingness to engage in meaningful talks with ASLEF to find a route forward to end their dispute."
“Our CEO Charles Horton spoke face-to-face with Mick Lynch, deputy general secretary of the RMT, immediately after their recording of a BBC debate last Sunday. Charles invited the RMT to fresh talks but we’ve had no dates or times from them."
On the eve of the ASLEF drivers’ 3-day strike on Southern Rail this week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday), the train operator is reminding passengers to travel only if essential.
“The independent rail regulator carried out a full and comprehensive review, including a thorough risk assessment, of our plans to implement driver-controlled trains on new routes on the Southern network. We warmly welcome their robust report which confirms that our roll-out programme is safe."
Southern Rail has confirmed that none of its train services will run during next week's three-day ASLEF drivers' strike (10, 11 & 13 January).
Responding to ASLEF's announcement this morning, a Southern spokesperson said: “This is a cynical ploy to minimise the impact on ASLEF’s drivers’ pay packets and maximises misery, disruption and hardship for passengers."
Passengers are advised to check before they travel as Southern rail services are expected to be severely disrupted during the RMT’s next three-day strike which starts tomorrow (31 December).
Angmering station has had a festive make over thanks to three local community primary schools from the Rustington area, with the designs and artwork going on to win first place in a local Eco Christmas competition.
This week marks the graduation of nine Croydon youngsters from The Prince’s Trust ‘Get Into Railway’ programme which aims to help young people between the ages of 16-25 achieve employment in various industries, including the railway.
Commenting on Southern/ASLEF talks at Acas, Nick Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Southern's parent company, said: "We're deeply disappointed, as our passengers will be, that ASLEF has been unable to accept our proposals and that we cannot find a way forward to end this dispute with the drivers' union at this stage."
United Kingdom