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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Southern rail strike: Second 24-hour strike under way | Southern rail strike: Second 24-hour strike under way |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Southern rail conductors are staging a second 24-hour walkout which could see travel chaos on some of the busiest routes in the UK. | Southern rail conductors are staging a second 24-hour walkout which could see travel chaos on some of the busiest routes in the UK. |
| The strike by members of the RMT union started just after midnight and is part of a dispute over the role of guards. | The strike by members of the RMT union started just after midnight and is part of a dispute over the role of guards. |
| The union opposes a new on-board supervisor role and plans for drivers to operate doors. | The union opposes a new on-board supervisor role and plans for drivers to operate doors. |
| Operator Govia Thameslink described the action as "unnecessary" and said there would be no job losses or pay cuts. | Operator Govia Thameslink described the action as "unnecessary" and said there would be no job losses or pay cuts. |
| The rail company said it is "evolving" the role of conductors so on-board staff will no longer be responsible for closing doors but will have a more visible presence on trains. | The rail company said it is "evolving" the role of conductors so on-board staff will no longer be responsible for closing doors but will have a more visible presence on trains. |
| 'Rammed-out' | 'Rammed-out' |
| It has warned there will be no service on some routes and a limited number of trains on others on the day of the strike. | |
| Govia Thameslink has also been handing out leaflets to passengers warning of the disruption. | Govia Thameslink has also been handing out leaflets to passengers warning of the disruption. |
| RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our members have been backed into a corner by this aggressive and unpopular company and have had no option whatsoever but to fight to defend the safety-critical role of the guard on these rammed-out and unreliable Southern routes. | RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our members have been backed into a corner by this aggressive and unpopular company and have had no option whatsoever but to fight to defend the safety-critical role of the guard on these rammed-out and unreliable Southern routes. |
| Union members, who staged their first strike action on 26 April, are due to hold a protest outside this year's Department for Transport Rail Industry Day in London from 08:30 BST. | Union members, who staged their first strike action on 26 April, are due to hold a protest outside this year's Department for Transport Rail Industry Day in London from 08:30 BST. |
| 'Angry rhetoric' | |
| The RMT claims train companies nationally are "hell-bent" on removing train and station staff accusing them of putting profits before safety. | The RMT claims train companies nationally are "hell-bent" on removing train and station staff accusing them of putting profits before safety. |
| Press Association industrial correspondent Alan Jones said the situation was "properly deadlocked". | |
| "The rhetoric is getting angrier by the day," he said. | |
| "Southern says all they are doing is changing the role of the conductor or guard. | |
| "But the unions are very suspicious that this is part of a wider attempt to get rid of guards altogether, which has happened on a lot of trains. | |
| "And with station staff, there is a separate dispute which may well end up in a strike soon about closure of ticket offices across Southern," he added. | |
| Customer advice issued by Southern ahead of the strike warned passengers that queuing systems would be in place at many stations, there may be long waits to board trains, and the company could not guarantee to get people to their destinations. | Customer advice issued by Southern ahead of the strike warned passengers that queuing systems would be in place at many stations, there may be long waits to board trains, and the company could not guarantee to get people to their destinations. |
| The company said Gatwick Express and Thameslink services would be largely unaffected. | The company said Gatwick Express and Thameslink services would be largely unaffected. |
| But some services were expected to be extremely busy and some Gatwick Express trains would be unable to call at certain stations. | But some services were expected to be extremely busy and some Gatwick Express trains would be unable to call at certain stations. |
| Passengers can check Southern's live running page, a map of services during the strike and customer information. | Passengers can check Southern's live running page, a map of services during the strike and customer information. |