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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/28/southern-train-drivers-vote-overwhelmingly-favour-strike-action-rail-uk
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| Southern train drivers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action | |
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| Drivers on Southern rail trains have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike in a dispute over the operation of train doors, the union Aslef has said. | Drivers on Southern rail trains have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike in a dispute over the operation of train doors, the union Aslef has said. |
| The ballot for industrial action is likely to spell more serious disruption on Britain’s biggest commuter franchise. Conductors in the RMT union have held a series of strikes this year, with more walkouts planned for next week and the Christmas period. | The ballot for industrial action is likely to spell more serious disruption on Britain’s biggest commuter franchise. Conductors in the RMT union have held a series of strikes this year, with more walkouts planned for next week and the Christmas period. |
| The dispute is over the extension of driver-only operation on Southern trains, a move which sees conductors renamed as onboard supervisors, giving the driver responsibility for closing the doors. Unions say there are safety risks, a claim denied by Southern and rail industry bodies. | The dispute is over the extension of driver-only operation on Southern trains, a move which sees conductors renamed as onboard supervisors, giving the driver responsibility for closing the doors. Unions say there are safety risks, a claim denied by Southern and rail industry bodies. |
| Aslef held a ballot to strike earlier this year, but it was ruled unlawful in a high court challenge brought by the company. | Aslef held a ballot to strike earlier this year, but it was ruled unlawful in a high court challenge brought by the company. |
| In the latest ballot, 87% of drivers backed a strike. The turnout was 77%. Aslef is now considering its next move, with seven days’ notice needed for a strike. | In the latest ballot, 87% of drivers backed a strike. The turnout was 77%. Aslef is now considering its next move, with seven days’ notice needed for a strike. |
| It could coincide action with the RMT’s pre-Christmas walkout, severely affecting the ability of Southern to run any sort of service. The company has operated about two-thirds of trains during recent strikes, but the franchise has been plagued by problems ranging from understaffing to delays caused by engineering works. | It could coincide action with the RMT’s pre-Christmas walkout, severely affecting the ability of Southern to run any sort of service. The company has operated about two-thirds of trains during recent strikes, but the franchise has been plagued by problems ranging from understaffing to delays caused by engineering works. |
| Charles Horton, the chief executive of Southern’s operating company, Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We believe this ballot was wholly unnecessary and unjustified in the first place and we’re disappointed that the union is now contemplating industrial action. | Charles Horton, the chief executive of Southern’s operating company, Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We believe this ballot was wholly unnecessary and unjustified in the first place and we’re disappointed that the union is now contemplating industrial action. |
| “It’s perfectly safe for the driver to have sole responsibility for the operation of a modern train, and that’s how a third of the trains up and down the country – with the full agreement and support of Aslef – already operate today.” | “It’s perfectly safe for the driver to have sole responsibility for the operation of a modern train, and that’s how a third of the trains up and down the country – with the full agreement and support of Aslef – already operate today.” |
| Meanwhile, Southern is investigating a fire that broke out on a train on Monday morning shortly before rush hour. The fire, discovered at 5am in an empty carriage at Eastbourne, caused delays and cancellations in the area. | Meanwhile, Southern is investigating a fire that broke out on a train on Monday morning shortly before rush hour. The fire, discovered at 5am in an empty carriage at Eastbourne, caused delays and cancellations in the area. |