17.01.17
Aslef offers to suspend Southern strikes for talks
The railway drivers’ union Aslef has offered to suspend its industrial action on Southern rail next week if the operator agrees to new talks hosted by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Drivers were due to strike next week on 24, 25 and 27 January as Aslef and RMT continue their dispute with Southern over its proposed changes to the roles of guards on driver-only operated (DOO) trains as RMT has done since last April.
The news has come as a boon to Southern’s beleaguered owner Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) who have “warmly welcomed” the decision to suspend the strikes.
Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said that he is “proposing a new process to try and find a resolution to our industrial dispute with Southern rail”, in which Aslef and Southern should “engage in intensive talks under the auspices of the TUC as soon as possible”.
“Given the implications of this dispute for the wider railway industry, I am also asking the secretary of state for transport to support this new process,” Whelan’s statement added.
“Aslef believes that the best way to resolve the dispute at Southern is for all parties to engage in meaningful talks – without preconditions – aimed at finding an agreed way forward.”
The TUC confirmed that talks between Aslef and Southern are due to be held at TUC Congress house starting tomorrow.
The talks will be chaired by the TUC’s general secretary Frances O’Grady and Andy Meadows, Abellio UK’s HR director, the latter at the request of the DfT.
“We are committed to finding a fair solution to this dispute,” O’Grady and Meadows said in a joint statement. “We are pleased that all parties have agreed to meet for meaningful talks.”
GTR “warmly welcomed” the decision, saying that it has always made clear its willingness to engage in meaningful talks with Aslef to resolve its dispute.
“This is an important and significant development for the travelling public and the regional economy and our focus and efforts now will be on productive talks with the union and trying to find a solution and a way forward,” said Charles Horton, GTR’s chief executive.
“We are grateful to Frances O’Grady and Andy Meadows for agreeing to chair jointly this important new round of talks and they have our unequivocal endorsement and support.”
GTR has confirmed that it will make no further comment until talks have concluded in line with the agreement made between the operator and the unions.
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