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Southern rail: Passengers face fresh strike delays Southern rail: Passengers face fresh strike delays
(about 5 hours later)
Beleaguered Southern rail passengers in London and the South East face fresh disruption to their journeys as a new, two-day rail strike has begun.Beleaguered Southern rail passengers in London and the South East face fresh disruption to their journeys as a new, two-day rail strike has begun.
The RMT union is in dispute with Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink (GTR) over the role of guards on new trains.The RMT union is in dispute with Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink (GTR) over the role of guards on new trains.
Southern said the strike would "achieve nothing" and it was pressing ahead with its plans.Southern said the strike would "achieve nothing" and it was pressing ahead with its plans.
The union claimed GTR has "no interest in resolving the dispute".The union claimed GTR has "no interest in resolving the dispute".
Latest Southern Rail strike updates here
The latest action follows a series of one-day strikes, and a five-day walkout last month that was called off half-way through.The latest action follows a series of one-day strikes, and a five-day walkout last month that was called off half-way through.
The RMT is fighting moves to re-categorise conductors as "on-board supervisors", with drivers taking over responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors. The union maintains it has legitimate concerns over safety and job cuts.The RMT is fighting moves to re-categorise conductors as "on-board supervisors", with drivers taking over responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors. The union maintains it has legitimate concerns over safety and job cuts.
The rail operator, which imposed the changes on 21 August after several strikes went ahead, insists the plans are safe and will mean fewer cancelled trains.The rail operator, which imposed the changes on 21 August after several strikes went ahead, insists the plans are safe and will mean fewer cancelled trains.
It said all onboard staff had been guaranteed a job until the end of the franchise, which expires in 2021, with no reduction in pay.It said all onboard staff had been guaranteed a job until the end of the franchise, which expires in 2021, with no reduction in pay.
Last week, Southern rail co-owner Go-Ahead reported a profit of nearly £100m.Last week, Southern rail co-owner Go-Ahead reported a profit of nearly £100m.
In response, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "Just a fraction of the £100m the GTR parent company is hoarding in profits would be enough to keep a guard on the Southern trains, keep the trains safe and resolve the dispute."In response, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "Just a fraction of the £100m the GTR parent company is hoarding in profits would be enough to keep a guard on the Southern trains, keep the trains safe and resolve the dispute."
Analysis: Richard Westcott, BBC transport correspondent @BBCwestcottAnalysis: Richard Westcott, BBC transport correspondent @BBCwestcott
There's more to this strike than meets the eye.There's more to this strike than meets the eye.
It's become a critical battle in a wider war over how the railways are staffed in future.It's become a critical battle in a wider war over how the railways are staffed in future.
The government wants to save money and that inevitably means changing the roles of some of the people who work there. Moving to driver only operated trains in franchises is a way to cut costs.The government wants to save money and that inevitably means changing the roles of some of the people who work there. Moving to driver only operated trains in franchises is a way to cut costs.
The unions say that threatens jobs, so they've drawn a line in the sand. No more driver-only trains.The unions say that threatens jobs, so they've drawn a line in the sand. No more driver-only trains.
Both sides have a lot at stake. Whatever happens with Southern could set the tone for other rail franchises coming up in the future.Both sides have a lot at stake. Whatever happens with Southern could set the tone for other rail franchises coming up in the future.
Rail bosses said the strike was taking place in the same week that Southern reinstated more than a third of train services it had removed from the timetable in July to cope with ongoing disruption.Rail bosses said the strike was taking place in the same week that Southern reinstated more than a third of train services it had removed from the timetable in July to cope with ongoing disruption.
When the reduced timetable was brought in, the rail company blamed issues with crew availability.When the reduced timetable was brought in, the rail company blamed issues with crew availability.
Industrial action by RMT members and high levels of staff sickness had contributed to disruption of Southern services from the south coast into London, but the union denied claims that staff illness was unofficial industrial action.Industrial action by RMT members and high levels of staff sickness had contributed to disruption of Southern services from the south coast into London, but the union denied claims that staff illness was unofficial industrial action.
The company said almost 60% of its full timetable would run during this week's strike days.The company said almost 60% of its full timetable would run during this week's strike days.
But it conceded many routes would have fewer trains and some would have no service at all.But it conceded many routes would have fewer trains and some would have no service at all.
Southern said on strike days it would be running 1,296 of the 2,242 services it ran during its normal timetable before services were reduced.Southern said on strike days it would be running 1,296 of the 2,242 services it ran during its normal timetable before services were reduced.
Customer advice issued by Southern said routes it would have no service on included:Customer advice issued by Southern said routes it would have no service on included: