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Southern Rail staff sickness forces train cancellations Southern rail conductors cut number of strike days
(35 minutes later)
An "unusually high level of sickness" among train conductors has been blamed for delays between Brighton and Southampton. Two planned 24-hour strikes by Southern rail conductors in a dispute over role changes and driver-only trains have been replaced with one walkout.
Members of the RMT union went on strike on 26 April and were due to walk out again on 10 and 12 May.
The union, which opposes a new on-board supervisor role and plans for drivers to operate doors, said there would now be one 24-hour strike on 20 May.
Operator Thames Govia said the changes would mean no job losses or pay cuts.
Delays between Brighton and Southampton on Wednesday morning were blamed on an "unusually high level of sickness" among train conductors.
Southern Rail said it was "disappointed and frustrated" about the sickness, and warned cancellations were expected to continue through the week.Southern Rail said it was "disappointed and frustrated" about the sickness, and warned cancellations were expected to continue through the week.
Some of the operator's conductors went on strike on 26 and 27 April over driver-only trains. Its chief operating officer Dyan Crowther said: "We know this will come as an added blow after last week's conductors' strike by members of the RMT."
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it was "surprised".
Southern's chief operating officer Dyan Crowther said: "We know this will come as an added blow after last week's conductors' strike by members of the RMT."