This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36921678

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Southern calls for talks over rail strikes Southern and RMT union to hold talks over rail strikes
(about 9 hours later)
Southern rail bosses say they want to have talks with union bosses to "sort out" a long-running dispute about the role of guards on trains. Talks aimed at averting further strikes by Southern rail conductors are to be held next week.
Parent firm Govia Thameslink (GTR) said it would meet via arbitration service Acas and called on the RMT to call off a five-day strike planned in August. Officials from the company will meet with the RMT union next Wednesday and Thursday.
The RMT said it was "available for serious and genuine" talks at Acas. Parent firm Govia Thameslink (GTR) had asked conciliation service Acas to facilitate talks ahead of a five-day strike planned in August.
A union spokesman said the strike would be suspended if changes to the role of guards were also suspended. The union is embroiled in a long-running dispute about the role of guards on trains.
A GTR spokesman said: "GTR has been in constant dialogue with the union and only on Monday spoke with general secretary Mick Cash who was unwilling to enter into discussion." It said earlier that officials had "cleared diaries and were available for serious and genuine" talks at Acas.
Dyan Crowther, the rail company's chief operating officer, said: "The RMT's claims we have refused to engage with them are simply not true and we are calling on them to come to Acas and sort this out for the sake of our passengers." General secretary Mick Cash said the strike would be suspended if "the company agree to suspend the planned changes to the safety critical role of the guard".
Offer 'to suspend action' The role of conductors is due to be changed from 21 August.
Mick Cash said: "RMT officials have already cleared the diaries and are available for serious and genuine Acas talks, which is exactly what we have been calling for.
"On top of that we repeat our offer in good faith to suspend action if the company agree to suspend the planned changes to the safety critical role of the guard."
GTR wants to use new trains where the driver operates the doors using CCTV, but the union fears job losses and has raised safety fears about the move.GTR wants to use new trains where the driver operates the doors using CCTV, but the union fears job losses and has raised safety fears about the move.
This month, GTR brought in a reduced timetable to cope with ongoing disruption on Southern trains, axing 341 trains per day from the 2,242 weekday services it had provided.This month, GTR brought in a reduced timetable to cope with ongoing disruption on Southern trains, axing 341 trains per day from the 2,242 weekday services it had provided.
The operator blamed issues with crew availability for delays and cancellations of services. The RMT denied claims staff sickness amounted to unofficial industrial action. Southern services have been delayed or cancelled for weeks because of the dispute and staff shortages, blamed by the company on high levels of staff sickness.
The RMT denied claims staff sickness amounted to unofficial industrial action.