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-37611787

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Southern Rail strike: Passengers plead for end to 'chaos' Southern Rail strike: Passengers plead for end to 'chaos'
(35 minutes later)
Passengers are enduring overcrowding, delays and chaos on Southern trains as a strike by RMT union members continues.Passengers are enduring overcrowding, delays and chaos on Southern trains as a strike by RMT union members continues.
The 72-hour walkout is due to go on until Friday, despite the RMT advising members to sign new contracts.The 72-hour walkout is due to go on until Friday, despite the RMT advising members to sign new contracts.
Passenger group Transport Focus said commuters were fed up and wanted services to get back to normal.Passenger group Transport Focus said commuters were fed up and wanted services to get back to normal.
The RMT said the strike was "rock solid", while Southern said it was running 61% of its normal timetable.The RMT said the strike was "rock solid", while Southern said it was running 61% of its normal timetable.
See live updates hereSee live updates here
"Passengers have lost the plot on this one as to what the original rights and wrongs of the dispute actually were," said Transport Focus spokesman Anthony Smith. Southern CEO Charles Horton has offered to meet the RMT on Wednesday for talks in a bid to end the dispute.
"It has become so bitter and protracted. But, Transport Focus spokesman Anthony Smith said passengers had "lost the plot as to what the original rights and wrongs of the dispute actually were".
"It has become so bitter and protracted," he said.
"The message from passengers to both sides is get back round the negotiating table and sort something out that will benefit passengers in the long term.""The message from passengers to both sides is get back round the negotiating table and sort something out that will benefit passengers in the long term."
The RMT has held a series of walkouts since April in the dispute over the role of conductors on Southern services.The RMT has held a series of walkouts since April in the dispute over the role of conductors on Southern services.
In a letter to RMT general secretary Mick Cash, Mr Horton has now said: "I'm prepared to free my diary from tomorrow morning onwards to meet and to show your serious intent, I would like the RMT to call off the rest of the strike action planned for this week."
Mr Cash, who has not yet responded to Mr Cash, had earlier called for fresh talks with Mr Horton, in a bid to break the deadlock over whether there would be a second member staff, as well as the driver, on every train.
Analysis by BBC South East Political Editor Helen CattAnalysis by BBC South East Political Editor Helen Catt
The RMT thinks having new on-board supervisors on the trains instead of conductors will lower safety standards.The RMT thinks having new on-board supervisors on the trains instead of conductors will lower safety standards.
Southern says they will be "safety trained", rather than "safety critical" and there is a grey area over the difference.Southern says they will be "safety trained", rather than "safety critical" and there is a grey area over the difference.
The two sides don't seem to be coming any closer together.The two sides don't seem to be coming any closer together.
The row is getting increasingly bitter and it doesn't look as if there is any quick resolution to this.The row is getting increasingly bitter and it doesn't look as if there is any quick resolution to this.
Passengers have been venting their frustration on social media.Passengers have been venting their frustration on social media.
Martin Still tweeted: "I've forgotten what they are arguing about and bored with it all now - perhaps just sack everyone, managers and strikers and start again."Martin Still tweeted: "I've forgotten what they are arguing about and bored with it all now - perhaps just sack everyone, managers and strikers and start again."
Liam Mustapha posted: "Cant get to school today because of @SouthernRailUK strike today. I don't think I or other commuters can take this any longer. #southernfail."Liam Mustapha posted: "Cant get to school today because of @SouthernRailUK strike today. I don't think I or other commuters can take this any longer. #southernfail."
Earlier train services between Brighton and Gatwick Airport via Balcombe were disrupted because of over-running engineering work by Network Rail as a result of a broken down engineers' train.Earlier train services between Brighton and Gatwick Airport via Balcombe were disrupted because of over-running engineering work by Network Rail as a result of a broken down engineers' train.
Russell Woollen said: "@SouthernRailUK why risk doing engineering works before a day like this?? You can't make it up. Appalling."Russell Woollen said: "@SouthernRailUK why risk doing engineering works before a day like this?? You can't make it up. Appalling."
Southern, which runs trains linking parts of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire with London, is introducing driver-only operation and wants conductors to accept new on-board supervisor positions.Southern, which runs trains linking parts of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire with London, is introducing driver-only operation and wants conductors to accept new on-board supervisor positions.
The RMT revealed it had received a legal challenge to the strike hours before the start of the walkout, but said it would go ahead while it examined the details.The RMT revealed it had received a legal challenge to the strike hours before the start of the walkout, but said it would go ahead while it examined the details.
The union previously advised conductors to accept new contracts to "protect their position" - but said it would seek to overturn them.The union previously advised conductors to accept new contracts to "protect their position" - but said it would seek to overturn them.
General Secretary Mick Cash called for fresh talks with Southern CEO Charles Horton to break the deadlock over whether there would be a second member staff, as well as the driver, on every train.
Mr Horton said Southern's position had not changed but if the RMT's had, the company would be pleased to hear from the union.
Mick Lynch, the assistant secretary general of the RMT, told the BBC: "We're sorry that people in London and the South East have got to put up with this.Mick Lynch, the assistant secretary general of the RMT, told the BBC: "We're sorry that people in London and the South East have got to put up with this.
"If the company gets round the table and we can hammer out a deal which we think is reasonable, then we can call off these strikes and get everyone back to work.""If the company gets round the table and we can hammer out a deal which we think is reasonable, then we can call off these strikes and get everyone back to work."
Strike dates announced by the RMT:Strike dates announced by the RMT:
Mayor of Seaford Lindsay Freeman said the south coast town's summer tourist trade had dropped and some commuters had given up jobs in London because of the strikes.Mayor of Seaford Lindsay Freeman said the south coast town's summer tourist trade had dropped and some commuters had given up jobs in London because of the strikes.
Ms Freeman said she was very concerned about the impact of a strike planned for 5 November, when up to 40,000 people travel to bonfire celebrations in the East Sussex town of Lewes.Ms Freeman said she was very concerned about the impact of a strike planned for 5 November, when up to 40,000 people travel to bonfire celebrations in the East Sussex town of Lewes.