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Southern rail strike disrupts new year travel Southern rail strike disrupts new year travel
(about 1 hour later)
A further three-day strike by Southern conductors is causing widespread disruption for travellers.A further three-day strike by Southern conductors is causing widespread disruption for travellers.
Parent firm Govia Thameslink (GTR) has urged people to check travel information because some New Year's Eve services will finish early. Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) began the action at midnight.
The rail operator is in dispute with the RMT and Aslef unions over changes to the role of guards on new trains. Southern's parent firm Govia Thameslink (GTR) is in dispute with the RMT and Aslef unions over changes to the role of guards on new trains.
The RMT is staging the latest 72-hour walkout after months of strikes. Another strike is set for 9 January.The RMT is staging the latest 72-hour walkout after months of strikes. Another strike is set for 9 January.
'Pointless action''Pointless action'
Southern's deputy chief operating officer, Alex Foulds, said: "Our best advice is to check on the day you travel, particularly if you are heading out to New Year celebrations, as services on some routes finish early in the evening. The train drivers' union Aslef is continuing with a ban on overtime which is adding to the disruption.
"We are sorry that yet again passengers will have their plans disrupted by what is pointless industrial action. Our door remains open for meaningful talks." GTR has urged people to check travel information because some New Year's Eve services will finish early.
Southern's deputy chief operating officer, Alex Foulds, said: "While we will do everything we can to get passengers where they want to go, we have to warn people that journeys may be disrupted and take longer than normal.
The politics behind the Southern rail disputeThe politics behind the Southern rail dispute
What's the Southern Rail strike about?What's the Southern Rail strike about?
How bad have Southern rail services got?How bad have Southern rail services got?
Train drivers, represented mostly by Aslef, will strike for a further six days from 9 January, when most routes are expected to have no services. "We are sorry that yet again passengers will have their plans disrupted by what is pointless industrial action. Our door remains open for meaningful talks."
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The solution to this continuing chaos is in the hands of GTR and the government. The planned six-day strike starting on 9 January involves both the unions. Most routes are expected to have no services.
"If the owners, the Go Ahead Group, spent a fraction of the millions they are stockpiling in profits and dividends on staffing and safety, this dispute could be resolved overnight. RMT remains available for talks." RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our guards members on Southern Rail remain rock-solid and absolutely determined in their action in defence of rail safety this morning."
The urged transport ministers to engage in direct talks with the union.
The Department for Transport said the dispute was between Southern and the unions and "not something the government is involved in".
The RMT has previously accused Southern of "hoarding profits" but the rail operator said it made a loss last year and would not make any profit this year.The RMT has previously accused Southern of "hoarding profits" but the rail operator said it made a loss last year and would not make any profit this year.
During the last drivers' strike, Aslef went into talks with GTR at conciliation service Acas, but Mr Cash said he was not allowed in. During the last drivers' strike, Aslef went into talks with GTR at conciliation service Acas. Mr Cash said he was not allowed in.
The negotiations ended without a deal.The negotiations ended without a deal.
Politicians and campaigners called on the government to intervene, but the Department for Transport said the dispute was between Southern and the unions and "not something the government is involved in". Commuter Robin Marchant, from Brighton, has organised a mass peaceful protest for passengers from 3 January to 5 January.
So far more than 1,000 people have shown interest in the Facebook event.