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Southern rail strike to go ahead after talks collapse Southern rail strike to go ahead after talks collapse
(35 minutes later)
Talks aimed at averting a series of strikes on the troubled Southern rail network have collapsed, signalling fresh misery for commuters from next week.Talks aimed at averting a series of strikes on the troubled Southern rail network have collapsed, signalling fresh misery for commuters from next week.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has been fighting a bitter battle with the rail service’s owner, Govia Thameslink Railway, over proposed changes to the role of conductors. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has been fighting a bitter battle with the rail service’s owner, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), over proposed changes to the role of conductors.
Three hours of last-ditch talks at GTR’s headquarters in the City of London yielded no agreement, with both sides issuing scathing communiques blaming the other for the impasse.Three hours of last-ditch talks at GTR’s headquarters in the City of London yielded no agreement, with both sides issuing scathing communiques blaming the other for the impasse.
A series of strikes will be held, starting with a three-day walkout next Tuesday, extending a six-month standoff.A series of strikes will be held, starting with a three-day walkout next Tuesday, extending a six-month standoff.
The RMT said Southern had rejected “perfectly reasonable” proposals that the union had put forward, which would have seen conductors agree to be rebadged as “on board supervisors” under certain conditions. The RMT said Southern had rejected “perfectly reasonable” proposals that the union had put forward, which would have included conductors agreeing to be rebadged as “on board supervisors” under certain conditions.
It suggested a transitional period, during which conductors would retain some responsibility for safety, rather than taking on a role largely dedicated to customer service.It suggested a transitional period, during which conductors would retain some responsibility for safety, rather than taking on a role largely dedicated to customer service.
GTR had offered a deal that would have seen conductors lose some responsibilities in exchange for benefits including a guaranteed job until the franchise ends in 2021, a one-off lump sum of £2,000 and pay rises linked to inflation. GTR had offered a deal that would have led conductors to lose some responsibilities in exchange for benefits including a guaranteed job until the franchise ends in 2021, a one-off lump sum of £2,000 and pay rises linked to inflation.
The company said all trains that currently operate with a second member of staff would continue to do so and the second employee would be trained to a “safety competent” level. The company said all trains that operate with a second member of staff would continue to do so and the second employee would be trained to a “safety competent” level.
That offer has been withdrawn, Southern said, adding that the RMT had not put the proposal to union members.That offer has been withdrawn, Southern said, adding that the RMT had not put the proposal to union members.
It said the RMT’s proposals had amounted to a “superficial rebadging” of conductors that would have been a change in name only.It said the RMT’s proposals had amounted to a “superficial rebadging” of conductors that would have been a change in name only.
An RMT spokesman said it was not prepared to accept a deal that would have allowed GTR to not replace conductors when they retire or move on, leaving only the driver operating the train.An RMT spokesman said it was not prepared to accept a deal that would have allowed GTR to not replace conductors when they retire or move on, leaving only the driver operating the train.
“You can bet your boots it would be driver-only operation within a few years. It’s the thin end of a very long wedge,” the spokesman said.“You can bet your boots it would be driver-only operation within a few years. It’s the thin end of a very long wedge,” the spokesman said.
The union wants a guarantee that trains will always have a person other than the driver charged with ensuring passenger safety.The union wants a guarantee that trains will always have a person other than the driver charged with ensuring passenger safety.
There is also disagreement over whether drivers or conductors should have responsibility for opening and closing doors.There is also disagreement over whether drivers or conductors should have responsibility for opening and closing doors.
GTR’s chief executive, Charles Horton, said the union’s demands would prevent modernisation of a network that has suffered huge reliability problems.GTR’s chief executive, Charles Horton, said the union’s demands would prevent modernisation of a network that has suffered huge reliability problems.
“What the RMT want to do is retain their power and control by insisting that our trains cannot run under any circumstances without a conductor on board, leading to more delays and cancellations,” he said.“What the RMT want to do is retain their power and control by insisting that our trains cannot run under any circumstances without a conductor on board, leading to more delays and cancellations,” he said.
Horton said he was “incredibly sorry” for the impact that the dispute has had on passengers. “We will now press ahead with our plans to modernise services to give customers what they expect and deserve: a train service fit for the 21st century,” he said. Horton said he was “incredibly sorry” for the impact that the dispute had had on passengers. “We will now press ahead with our plans to modernise services to give customers what they expect and deserve: a train service fit for the 21st century,” he said.
Mick Cash, the RMT general secretary said: “The union is angry and disappointed that a fresh set of proposals put forward that address both our issues and the company agenda have been rejected out of hand with barely a cursory glance.” The rail minister, Paul Maynard, said: “It is disappointing that union leaders have continually rejected a deal that protects jobs and ensures that conductors will carry on delivering a safe, accessible and more reliable rail service.
“Passengers will once again face needless and unjustified disruption from strike action as the unions continue to try to prevent the delivery of a modern railway.”
Mick Cash, the RMT general secretary, said: “The union is angry and disappointed that a fresh set of proposals put forward that address both our issues and the company agenda have been rejected out of hand with barely a cursory glance.”
He said it was “scandalous” that GTR had rejected a proposal for conciliation service Acas to mediate a settlement.He said it was “scandalous” that GTR had rejected a proposal for conciliation service Acas to mediate a settlement.
“The travelling public will be rightly angry that the company have kicked back in our faces a chance to resolve this long-running dispute,” Cash said.“The travelling public will be rightly angry that the company have kicked back in our faces a chance to resolve this long-running dispute,” Cash said.
Earlier this week, GTR launched an ill-fated poster campaign encouraging commuters to tweet their disapproval of the RMT.Earlier this week, GTR launched an ill-fated poster campaign encouraging commuters to tweet their disapproval of the RMT.
The posters were withdrawn earlier this week amid a public backlash against the company.The posters were withdrawn earlier this week amid a public backlash against the company.
“This week we have seen Southern launch a botched attempt to incite the public against their frontline workforce,” Cash said.“This week we have seen Southern launch a botched attempt to incite the public against their frontline workforce,” Cash said.
“Today, that same company have shown that they have no interest in negotiating with the staff union and are hellbent on having a punchup with the rail workers who keep the travelling public safe. “Today, that same company have shown that they have no interest in negotiating with the staff union and are hellbent on having a punch-up with the rail workers who keep the travelling public safe.
“Attempts to bribe and bully the Southern rail staff with the threat of the sack leave an indelible stain on Britain’s railways.”“Attempts to bribe and bully the Southern rail staff with the threat of the sack leave an indelible stain on Britain’s railways.”
GTR said it would implement the proposed changes to the role of conductors, involving sacking them and asking them to sign up as on board supervisors, effective from 1 January 2017.GTR said it would implement the proposed changes to the role of conductors, involving sacking them and asking them to sign up as on board supervisors, effective from 1 January 2017.
The company said independent experts had ruled that it was perfectly safe for drivers to have sole responsibility for operating modern trains, and one-third of trains in the UK were already working like this.The company said independent experts had ruled that it was perfectly safe for drivers to have sole responsibility for operating modern trains, and one-third of trains in the UK were already working like this.