28.11.16
Southern train drivers vote to strike over DOO trains
The train drivers’ union Aslef has announced that Southern train drivers have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike in a move likely to cause disruption to passengers over the Christmas period.
Members of Aslef working for Southern voted on whether to launch industrial action over the operator’s plans to introduce driver-only operated (DOO) trains. DOO trains are already the subject of a separate long-running dispute between Southern and the RMT, with union members arguing that they would threaten passenger safety and conductor jobs.
The drivers voted for walkouts by an overwhelming margin of 87%. Aslef’s executive will now meet to discuss the outcome of the ballot before deciding how best to proceed.
Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, said the company wanted to impose changes upon drivers rather than reach a compromise with the union.
“Our trade dispute with the company is that there should be no introduction and/or extension of new DOO routes on Southern without the agreement of Aslef,” he added.
“We have genuinely sought to reach a compromise with Southern. We have always been prepared to talk to the company and we have always been of the view that it should be possible to do a deal, but it takes two to tango and the company has not been prepared to negotiate.
Whelan said that because Southern have “dug in their heels” the company has in effect forced the union to ballot its members over strike action.
If Aslef members working for Southern do launch industrial action, the union will have to give at least seven days’ notice before initiating strikes.
Charles Horton, the chief executive of Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink, criticised the vote, saying: "We believe this ballot was wholly unnecessary and unjustified in the first place and we're disappointed that the union is now contemplating industrial action.
"It's perfectly safe for the driver to have sole responsibility for the operation of a modern train and that's how a third of the trains up and down the country - with the full agreement and support of Aslef - already operate today."
RMT members have staged a series of strikes on Southern in recent months with further three-day walkouts due to start on 6 December, 22 December and 31 December, leading to accusations of the union ‘cancelling Christmas’ over the DOO dispute.