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Train conductors' strike causes travel chaos on Southern services Southern rail strike: conductors' 24-hour walkout causes travel chaos
(35 minutes later)
A strike by hundreds of train conductors is being “solidly” supported, causing travel chaos for passengers.A strike by hundreds of train conductors is being “solidly” supported, causing travel chaos for passengers.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at Southern Railway are staging a 24-hour walkout in a bitter row over the role of conductors.Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at Southern Railway are staging a 24-hour walkout in a bitter row over the role of conductors.
The company said there would be no service on some routes and a limited number of trains between 7.30am and 6pm on others, describing the disruption as “totally unnecessary”.The company said there would be no service on some routes and a limited number of trains between 7.30am and 6pm on others, describing the disruption as “totally unnecessary”.
Southern said it expected to run two-thirds of its 2,100 services, but warned there would be a “significant” impact all day.Southern said it expected to run two-thirds of its 2,100 services, but warned there would be a “significant” impact all day.
The two sides blame each other for the dispute, and for lack of progress since a previous strike last month.The two sides blame each other for the dispute, and for lack of progress since a previous strike last month.
The union said it was continuing to receive support from the public despite the company “blowing” money on an “anti-union advertising campaign”.The union said it was continuing to receive support from the public despite the company “blowing” money on an “anti-union advertising campaign”.
Mick Cash, the RMT general secretary, said: “Our guards members on Southern are solid and determined this morning and the union welcomes the support from the travelling public as they recognise that this dispute is about defending safety-critical jobs and services against the drive for cash-driven cuts that would see those services hacked to ribbons.Mick Cash, the RMT general secretary, said: “Our guards members on Southern are solid and determined this morning and the union welcomes the support from the travelling public as they recognise that this dispute is about defending safety-critical jobs and services against the drive for cash-driven cuts that would see those services hacked to ribbons.
“With commuters paying thousands of pounds a year for their annual tickets on Southern there can be no-explanation for the removal of the guards other than a central obsession in the boardroom for putting increased profits above public safety. That message is ringing out loud and clear as the dispute continues.” “With commuters paying thousands of pounds a year for their annual tickets on Southern there can be no explanation for the removal of the guards other than a central obsession in the boardroom for putting increased profits above public safety. That message is ringing out loud and clear as the dispute continues.”
Southern maintains conductors will remain on trains but responsibility for closing doors will switch to drivers.Southern maintains conductors will remain on trains but responsibility for closing doors will switch to drivers.
Dyan Crowther, the chief operating officer of Southern’s owner, Govia Thameslink, said: “Despite repeated efforts over six months, the RMT seem unwilling to talk properly about this. Our door remains open to talks but they seem determined to inflict another day of misery on Southern commuters.Dyan Crowther, the chief operating officer of Southern’s owner, Govia Thameslink, said: “Despite repeated efforts over six months, the RMT seem unwilling to talk properly about this. Our door remains open to talks but they seem determined to inflict another day of misery on Southern commuters.
“The only thing that changes is the new conductors will no longer close the doors, a task that passes to the driver with the aid of CCTV. This will cost no one their jobs and frees up staff on board trains to better serve passengers.“The only thing that changes is the new conductors will no longer close the doors, a task that passes to the driver with the aid of CCTV. This will cost no one their jobs and frees up staff on board trains to better serve passengers.
“We wholeheartedly agree with our passengers who want staff to remain on trains and that’s exactly why as many services will have staff on board as they do today.“We wholeheartedly agree with our passengers who want staff to remain on trains and that’s exactly why as many services will have staff on board as they do today.
“Our on-board staff will have a better role which better meets the needs of passengers, securing their valued position on the railway for the long term.” “Our on-board staff will have a better role, which better meets the needs of passengers, securing their valued position on the railway for the long term.”
Southern said the change to the conductor role would result in fewer train cancellations.Southern said the change to the conductor role would result in fewer train cancellations.