12.01.17
‘Saga of strike misery’ to continue as RMT plans 23 January action on Southern
The RMT has announced that guards on Southern will hold another 24-hour strike on 23 January as the union’s dispute with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) presses on.
The action marks the latest development in the long-running row over Southern’s proposed introduction of driver-only operated (DOO) trains.
Aslef and RMT drivers are set to walk out again on Friday and again on 24, 25 and 27 January, in a move which will lead to the cancellation of Southern’s 2,242 weekday services.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the further strike marked part of the union’s “ongoing fight” for safety on trains, as he criticised GTR’s CEO Charles Horton for “melting away” a promise to retain a second member of staff on the company’s services.
Horton allegedly made the comments in a recent BBC debate after which he was believed to have spoken with RMT’s assistant general secretary Mick Lynch about arranging further talks to end the dispute.
“It is down to the company to end this posturing and to get back into the room with us to kick-start the negotiating process, which is what the public are clearly crying out for,” Cash said.
“RMT is available but it is down to Southern/GTR to show that same commitment and to stick to the promises they gave on camera in front of TV audience across the region.”
The union’s announcement came as it seeks separate reassurances from Northern Rail and Merseyrail regarding those companies’ use of DOO, threatening action if they do not respond by 26 January.
A Southern spokesperson confirmed that Horton had spoken with Lynch regarding further talks but RMT had not yet responded with a date or time, calling the union “disingenuous” in its motivations.
“It’s important we focus now on moving forward to end this sorry saga of strike misery. This wholly unjustified industrial action is causing utter misery and hardship to the travelling public and is having a significant impact on people’s work and family lives and the regional economy,” the spokesperson said.
“We remain ready to meet the RMT leadership, as we do ASLEF, anytime, any place, anywhere to find a way to end their disputes.”
Earlier today, GTR revealed it will now go to the Supreme Court to try to block Aslef's planned action for later this month, despite losing cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal last year.
(Image c. Nick Ansell PA Wire)
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