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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/oct/12/southern-rail-dispute-talks-break-down-without-agreement
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| Southern rail dispute: talks break down without agreement | Southern rail dispute: talks break down without agreement |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Talks aimed at resolving the dispute over the role of guards on Southern railway have broken down without agreement, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union has said. | Talks aimed at resolving the dispute over the role of guards on Southern railway have broken down without agreement, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union has said. |
| The talks took place even though a three-day strike, which began on Tuesday, is continuing. Further stoppages are planned in coming weeks. | The talks took place even though a three-day strike, which began on Tuesday, is continuing. Further stoppages are planned in coming weeks. |
| Charles Horton, the chief executive of Southern’s owners Govia Thameslink Railway, met Mick Cash, the leader of the RMT union, briefly in an effort to break the deadlock. | Charles Horton, the chief executive of Southern’s owners Govia Thameslink Railway, met Mick Cash, the leader of the RMT union, briefly in an effort to break the deadlock. |
| Cash said: “RMT entered talks with Charles Horton this 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. | Cash said: “RMT entered talks with Charles Horton this 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. |
| “This dispute isn’t about who opens and closes the doors; it is about that absolute guarantee of a second safety competent member of staff on these Southern services. | “This dispute isn’t about who opens and closes the doors; it is about that absolute guarantee of a second safety competent member of staff on these Southern services. |
| “RMT is angry and frustrated that a golden opportunity to resolve this dispute has been wrecked because Mr Horton has reneged on commitments he has given through the media. | “RMT is angry and frustrated that a golden opportunity to resolve this dispute has been wrecked because Mr Horton has reneged on commitments he has given through the media. |
| “Passengers will rightly share our anger. The programme of industrial action goes ahead with the union remaining committed to genuine and meaningful talks.” | “Passengers will rightly share our anger. The programme of industrial action goes ahead with the union remaining committed to genuine and meaningful talks.” |
| Horton said he made it “crystal clear” to the union that the company was moving forward to implement its proposals and any agreement had to be on the basis of these principles. | |
| He said: “In the space of a week, we’ve now met twice for face-to-face talks to try and reach agreement but, incredibly, they have absolutely nothing new to say - today, last week, last month - which helps us move forward. | |
| “They raise everyone’s hopes by stating they want to end the dispute, but then dash them by their continued head in the sand position.” |