20.04.16
Southern train conductors to go on strike over driver-only trains
Train conductors on Southern routes have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a series of strikes, starting from next week, in protest at plans to extend driver-only operations (DOO).
Trade union RMT, who received a 78% mandate for the strike, warned that the proposals to extend DOO, where drivers operate doors on trains, and replace conductors with on-board supervisors will threaten passenger safety and mean that staff will be forced to either take the supervisor role or be made redundant.
RMT have therefore called three 24-hour strikes. The first will run from 11am on 26 April and the next two will run from the same time on 10 May and 12 May.
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: “The anger at the threat to RMT members’ jobs, their role and the safety of Southern services is reflected in this massive vote for action.”
Cash called Southern “the most hated rail franchise in Britain”, adding: “These trains are desperately over-crowded and the conductors are the eyes and ears preventing a major tragedy on the platforms and carriages. RMT's demands could not be clearer and the union remains available for meaningful talks. "
Of the 393 ballot papers RMT sent out, 321 were returned, with 306 (78%) voting in favour of a strike and 320 (81%) in favour of non-strike industrial action.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), who own Southern, said that drivers already operate the doors on 1,800 of their 3,000 daily services.
They added that there would be no compulsory redundancies and they were only being forced to offer new on-board supervisor contracts because of RMT’s refusal to negotiate.
Dyan Crowther, GTR’s CEO, said: “This strike is completely unnecessary. No staff will lose their jobs or see a reduction in their salary, whilst passengers will benefit from having more visible staff on trains.
“Now that strike times and dates have been announced, we are working to finalise contingency plans for our services on strike days, but must warn passengers that disruption is likely to be significant. Finally, rather than making passengers suffer through a strike, we urge the RMT to return to the negotiating table and discuss the changes we are seeking to make.”
GTR are also taking Aslef to court over their drivers’ refusal to drive the new 12-car Gatwick Express trains without additional staff.
(Image c. Dominic Lipinski from PA Wire)