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-37026430

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Southern rail strike: Workers and passengers plan protests Southern rail strike: Workers and passengers plan protests
(about 7 hours later)
Passengers and the RMT union are planning separate protests on the third day of a five-day conductor's strike on the Southern rail network.Passengers and the RMT union are planning separate protests on the third day of a five-day conductor's strike on the Southern rail network.
Southern has cancelled 946 services each day since the strike began on Monday, with disruption affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers.Southern has cancelled 946 services each day since the strike began on Monday, with disruption affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
The RMT and passenger groups will protest outside the Department for Transport (DfT) in central London.The RMT and passenger groups will protest outside the Department for Transport (DfT) in central London.
Govia Thameslink has called the action "pointless, needless and senseless".Govia Thameslink has called the action "pointless, needless and senseless".
Live updates on Southern strike
The RMT is opposed to Southern's plans to turn conductors into "on-board supervisors" from 21 August, with drivers taking over responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors.The RMT is opposed to Southern's plans to turn conductors into "on-board supervisors" from 21 August, with drivers taking over responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors.
The Campaign for Better Transport and the Association of British Commuters want passengers to join their march from London Victoria from 17:30 BST.The Campaign for Better Transport and the Association of British Commuters want passengers to join their march from London Victoria from 17:30 BST.
They will present a 6ft-tall letter to rail minister Paul Maynard calling on him to attend a "passenger assembly" to answer questions and freeze fares for a year, and compensate customers affected by the dispute.They will present a 6ft-tall letter to rail minister Paul Maynard calling on him to attend a "passenger assembly" to answer questions and freeze fares for a year, and compensate customers affected by the dispute.
Lianna Etkind, spokeswoman for the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Southern Rail passengers are fed up with suffering such a poor service.Lianna Etkind, spokeswoman for the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Southern Rail passengers are fed up with suffering such a poor service.
"The ongoing problems need to be addressed and it is time for the Department for Transport to take urgent action to restore public confidence in the franchise.""The ongoing problems need to be addressed and it is time for the Department for Transport to take urgent action to restore public confidence in the franchise."
Parent company Govia Thameslink (GTR) said on Tuesday it would talk with the RMT "any time, any place, anywhere" in a bid to end the strike.Parent company Govia Thameslink (GTR) said on Tuesday it would talk with the RMT "any time, any place, anywhere" in a bid to end the strike.
GTR said the union rejected an eight-point offer on Friday, but the RMT claimed negotiators were "within an inch" of a deal before it was blocked by the government.GTR said the union rejected an eight-point offer on Friday, but the RMT claimed negotiators were "within an inch" of a deal before it was blocked by the government.
General secretary Mick Cash said it wanted the government to "stop weaponising the Southern dispute for political purposes".General secretary Mick Cash said it wanted the government to "stop weaponising the Southern dispute for political purposes".
The DfT has denied blocking a potential deal. GTR dismissed the claim as "totally false and a complete red herring".The DfT has denied blocking a potential deal. GTR dismissed the claim as "totally false and a complete red herring".
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "There is absolutely no excuse for the RMT strikes which are designed to stop essential improvements of passengers' journeys.Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "There is absolutely no excuse for the RMT strikes which are designed to stop essential improvements of passengers' journeys.
"Passengers on Southern rail services are being made to suffer unnecessary inconvenience and disruption to their journeys."Passengers on Southern rail services are being made to suffer unnecessary inconvenience and disruption to their journeys.
"The union should accept the generous offer being made to them by the train operator and get their members back to work.""The union should accept the generous offer being made to them by the train operator and get their members back to work."