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-37675771
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Southern: £2,000 lump sum back on table to end dispute | Southern: £2,000 lump sum back on table to end dispute |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Southern has told union members a lump sum of £2,000 is back on offer if they end a dispute over conductors. | Southern has told union members a lump sum of £2,000 is back on offer if they end a dispute over conductors. |
| The rail operator has urged the RMT, which is planning another 11 days of strikes before Christmas, to put its offer to a referendum of members. | |
| Southern said increasing numbers of staff were turning up to work during strikes. | |
| The £2,000 lump sum was originally offered if conductors accepted new contracts by 6 October. | |
| Charles Horton, chief executive of Southern's owner Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), said: "Everyone wants to see an end to this dispute but it is clear that there is currently little prospect of a negotiated settlement between us, however much we've tried. | |
| "Nearly a third of conductors are now coming in to work on strike days and we expect that to increase. | |
| "There is a full and fair offer on the table and it's time to stop the strikes and move forward." | |
| Strike dates announced by the RMT: | |
| The RMT has not yet responded to the new offer, which comes after a pensioners' group warned driver-only trains that stop at unstaffed stations could be committing an offence under the Equality Act. | |
| Southern said meeting accessibility needs was fundamental to its plans. | Southern said meeting accessibility needs was fundamental to its plans. |
| The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) said a "mystery traveller" experiment in August revealed problems for pensioners or passengers with mobility problems. | The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) said a "mystery traveller" experiment in August revealed problems for pensioners or passengers with mobility problems. |
| 'Mobility problems' | |
| Southern is introducing driver-only operated trains and has offered existing conductors new roles as on-board supervisors. | Southern is introducing driver-only operated trains and has offered existing conductors new roles as on-board supervisors. |
| The NPC said "mystery travellers" including a wheelchair user, a blind passenger and a pensioner took a series of train journeys on Southern from East Croydon to Chichester and back to test the practicalities of travel. | The NPC said "mystery travellers" including a wheelchair user, a blind passenger and a pensioner took a series of train journeys on Southern from East Croydon to Chichester and back to test the practicalities of travel. |
| Its report highlighted concerns over the lack of toilets on some trains, the absence of a ramp at one station, lack of platform staff and poorly-sited help points. | Its report highlighted concerns over the lack of toilets on some trains, the absence of a ramp at one station, lack of platform staff and poorly-sited help points. |
| It also noted some "excellent" examples of well-trained drivers, guards and other staff. | It also noted some "excellent" examples of well-trained drivers, guards and other staff. |
| Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary, said: "Everyone will be aware of the dispute currently taking place on Southern Rail over the future of guards and driver-only trains, but up till now no-one has explained how these changes could affect those passengers with mobility problems. | Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary, said: "Everyone will be aware of the dispute currently taking place on Southern Rail over the future of guards and driver-only trains, but up till now no-one has explained how these changes could affect those passengers with mobility problems. |
| "Our concern is that if a driver-only train runs to an unstaffed station with a passenger who is unable to exit the train unassisted, an offence will be committed under the Equality Act 2010 by putting that person at a substantial disadvantage." | "Our concern is that if a driver-only train runs to an unstaffed station with a passenger who is unable to exit the train unassisted, an offence will be committed under the Equality Act 2010 by putting that person at a substantial disadvantage." |
| A spokesman for Southern said the new on-board supervisor role provided the opportunity to improve support for disabled passengers. | A spokesman for Southern said the new on-board supervisor role provided the opportunity to improve support for disabled passengers. |
| "All staff will have dedicated accessibility training supported by new ways of working across teams," a spokesman said. | "All staff will have dedicated accessibility training supported by new ways of working across teams," a spokesman said. |
| "In line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, adjustments will be in place to ensure that any passenger requiring accessibility assistance to reach an unmanned/partially manned station will be supported in doing so without unreasonable delay or inconvenience." | "In line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, adjustments will be in place to ensure that any passenger requiring accessibility assistance to reach an unmanned/partially manned station will be supported in doing so without unreasonable delay or inconvenience." |