18.10.16
Southern strike goes ahead despite new GTR offer
RMT launched another three-day strike on Southern today despite Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the parent company, repeating its offer of a £2,000 bonus if staff accept the revised deal.
Yesterday GTR brought back its offer to RMT in a last-ditch attempt to stop the strike, and also claimed that increasing numbers of guards are returning to work despite the strike instructions.
The strike, which will until last 20 October, is the seventh this year in an industrial dispute over plans to extend driver-only operated (DOO) services on Southern lines. GTR argues it is a necessary part of modernising services, while RTM says it will threaten jobs and passenger safety.
Further strikes are planned for November and December.
Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT, said: “Despite a vicious campaign of company lies and dirty tricks, including the spreading of bogus numbers about staff working and an attempt to bribe our members with a £2,000 bounty to sell-out on passenger safety, the strike action this morning remains absolutely solid.”
During the strike, Southern services will be cancelled on 10 routes, including Clapham Junction to Milton Keynes via Kensington Olympia, Leatherhead to Guildford and Chichester to Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton Central. Other routes will run on a revised timetable or at certain times of day.
To view full details about the cancelled Southern services, click here.
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