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Southern Rail strike: Talks planned as action continues Southern Rail strike: Talks break down as strike continues
(35 minutes later)
The first face-to-face talks between the bosses of Southern trains and the RMT union are to take place later in a bid to avert further strike action. The first face-to-face talks between the bosses of Southern trains and the RMT union in a bid to avert further strike action have broken down.
The 72-hour walkout which began on Tuesday despite the RMT advising members to sign new contracts. The 72-hour walkout began on Tuesday despite the RMT advising members to sign new contracts.
A commuters' group has raised concerns over passengers' health and safety due to overcrowding during the strikes. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said "a golden opportunity" to resolve the dispute "had been wrecked."
The union has held a series of walkouts since April over the role of conductors on Southern services.5 The union has held a series of walkouts since April over the role of conductors on Southern services.
Southern said it would continue to run a revised timetable on Wednesday. Mr Cash said: "RMT entered talks with Charles Horton from Southern Rail [on Wednesday morning] in good faith and with every intention of trying to reach an agreement.
"However, it became clear right from the outset that Mr Horton is refusing to stick by the assurances he gave to the media yesterday that he can 'absolutely' guarantee a second member of staff on all current Southern services with a conductor.
He said the union was "angry and frustrated".
Train chaos 'dangerous'Train chaos 'dangerous'
The Association of British Commuters, which is seeking a judicial review over the Government's handling of the Southern franchise, has written to the Department for Transport raising concerns for passengers' safety.The Association of British Commuters, which is seeking a judicial review over the Government's handling of the Southern franchise, has written to the Department for Transport raising concerns for passengers' safety.
A spokesman said: "Passengers are having to cope with absolute chaos now. On any day, trains are overcrowded or cancelled and the situation is dangerous."A spokesman said: "Passengers are having to cope with absolute chaos now. On any day, trains are overcrowded or cancelled and the situation is dangerous."
A spokesman for Southern said they did not know where or when the talks would take place.
In a letter to RMT general secretary Mick Cash, Southern CEO Charles Horton said: "I'm prepared to free my diary... 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 said talks were a golden opportunity to break the deadlock and the union would be present at them.
Transport Focus spokesman Anthony Smith said passengers had "lost the plot as to what the original rights and wrongs of the dispute actually were".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."It has become so bitter and protracted," he said.
Southern said it would continue to run a revised timetable on Wednesday.
Analysis: Jack Fiehn, political reporter BBC SurreyAnalysis: Jack Fiehn, political reporter BBC Surrey
The talks are the first time the two individuals at the top of both the union and Southern have negotiated directly with each other.The talks are the first time the two individuals at the top of both the union and Southern have negotiated directly with each other.
The CEO of Govia Thameslink says he hopes they can shake hands on a deal.The CEO of Govia Thameslink says he hopes they can shake hands on a deal.
Meanwhile the General Secretary of the RMT, Mick Cash, says this is a "golden opportunity" for a breakthrough.Meanwhile the General Secretary of the RMT, Mick Cash, says this is a "golden opportunity" for a breakthrough.
So is this a glimmer of hope for long suffering commuters, caught in the middle of this bitter dispute?So is this a glimmer of hope for long suffering commuters, caught in the middle of this bitter dispute?
Talks have been going on for months and so far nothing has been resolved.Talks have been going on for months and so far nothing has been resolved.
The question is what exactly could these two men offer each other to break the deadlock.The question is what exactly could these two men offer each other to break the deadlock.
Passengers have been complaining about trains having less carriages and over crowding. Passengers have been complaining about trains having less carriages and over crowding.
SonicLady tweeted: "That's it @SouthernRailUK, shortform my train on strike day. Many passengers unable to board again. #SouthernStrike #southernfail."SonicLady tweeted: "That's it @SouthernRailUK, shortform my train on strike day. Many passengers unable to board again. #SouthernStrike #southernfail."
Beefqueen posted: ".@SouthernRailUK Why is the 0838 from TBG to City Thameslink today shortformed? #SouthernStrike #southernfail."Beefqueen posted: ".@SouthernRailUK Why is the 0838 from TBG to City Thameslink today shortformed? #SouthernStrike #southernfail."
Others have said services were running better than on the first day of the strike.Others have said services were running better than on the first day of the strike.
Fed tweeted: "The train situation is still bad this morning, though slightly less so than yesterday. Good luck folks - keep your heads :) #SouthernStrike."Fed tweeted: "The train situation is still bad this morning, though slightly less so than yesterday. Good luck folks - keep your heads :) #SouthernStrike."
Strike dates announced by the RMT:Strike dates announced by the RMT: