24.05.16
Aslef members vote to strike despite GTR injunction application
Drivers on the Southern and Gatwick Express lines are set to strike despite efforts by parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to stop industrial action using an injunction.
In an 82% turnout among Aslef members, 84.4% voted in favour of a strike and 95.8% voted in favour of action short of a strike.
The escalating dispute over the introduction of driver-operated only (DOO) trains has previously seen drivers refusing to stop at stations and refusing to drive trains until GTR obtained an injunction to force them to return to work.
A spokesperson for Southern said: “We are disappointed with the result and will now await notification from Aslef as to what its plans may be. Any action would only heap more disruption on our passengers - passengers who have already been through two recent strikes by RMT Union Conductors.
“We have repeatedly tried to engage with Aslef on this but the union has refused to engage in any sort of meaningful dialogue. We urge them once more to sit down and talk to us.”
Southern are expecting the results of an injunction application to stop the strike at the High Court this week. They argue that the strike is unlawful because of Aslef’s selection of which drivers to ballot and because they induced drivers not to drive trains before carrying out the ballot.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said he “welcomed” the “strong mandate” for action from members.
GTR has also faced strikes over the introduction of DOO trains from Southern conductors, led by RMT.
Yesterday Mick Cash, RMT’s general secretary, accused Southern of carrying out “a disgraceful campaign of misinformation” after warning passengers that services may face ongoing cancellations, and not hiring enough staff to cover shifts.
However, Southern said the cancellations were due to driver and conductor sickness.
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