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-38651177

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Aslef suspends Southern rail strikes in return for new talks Aslef suspends Southern rail strikes in return for new talks
(35 minutes later)
Next week's industrial action by drivers on Southern rail has been suspended ahead of fresh talks on Wednesday, the TUC has announced.Next week's industrial action by drivers on Southern rail has been suspended ahead of fresh talks on Wednesday, the TUC has announced.
It follows an offer by Aslef to suspend the strikes if the company agreed to "engage in intensive talks under the auspices of the TUC". It follows an offer by Aslef to suspend the strikes if the company agreed to "engage in intensive talks".
Drivers had been due to hold three days of strikes next week. Drivers were due to strike for three days. A separate strike by the RMT union is still planned for Monday.
Charles Horton, of Southern's parent company GTR, said it was "an important and significant development".Charles Horton, of Southern's parent company GTR, said it was "an important and significant development".
"Efforts now will be on productive talks with the union and trying to find a solution and a way forward," the chief executive said."Efforts now will be on productive talks with the union and trying to find a solution and a way forward," the chief executive said.
Strike-hit Southern ranks worst for customer satisfactionStrike-hit Southern ranks worst for customer satisfaction
Southern rail strike: What's it about?Southern rail strike: What's it about?
How bad have Southern rail services got?How bad have Southern rail services got?
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are set to strike next Monday in a separate row over changes to the role of conductors. Members of the RMT union are striking in a separate row over changes to the role of conductors.
Earlier, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said the union and Southern should "engage in intensive talks under the auspices of the TUC as soon as possible".Earlier, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said the union and Southern should "engage in intensive talks under the auspices of the TUC as soon as possible".
In a statement he said: "Given the implications of this dispute for the wider railway industry, I am also asking the Secretary of State for Transport to support this new process.In a statement he said: "Given the implications of this dispute for the wider railway industry, I am also asking the Secretary of State for Transport to support this new process.
"Aslef believes that the best way to resolve the dispute at Southern is for all parties to engage in meaningful talks - without preconditions - aimed at finding an agreed way forward.""Aslef believes that the best way to resolve the dispute at Southern is for all parties to engage in meaningful talks - without preconditions - aimed at finding an agreed way forward."
A Department for Transport spokesman said it welcomed Aslef's offer, but "in order to aid this process, the Secretary for Transport has suggested that these talks be jointly chaired by Andy Meadows, group HR director at Abellio, and Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC".A Department for Transport spokesman said it welcomed Aslef's offer, but "in order to aid this process, the Secretary for Transport has suggested that these talks be jointly chaired by Andy Meadows, group HR director at Abellio, and Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC".
Aslef said it accepted the Department for Transport's request for Mr Meadows to co-chair the talks.Aslef said it accepted the Department for Transport's request for Mr Meadows to co-chair the talks.
Abellio runs both the ScotRail and Greater Anglia rail franchises.Abellio runs both the ScotRail and Greater Anglia rail franchises.
Both Aslef and the RMT unions are in dispute with Southern's parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), over changes to the role of conductors on driver-only operated trains, amounting to Britain's worst rail strike in 20 years. Both Aslef and the RMT unions are in dispute with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), over changes to the role of conductors on driver-only operated trains, amounting to Britain's worst rail strike in 20 years.
Last week, hundreds of thousands of passengers were hit by three days of strikes by drivers.Last week, hundreds of thousands of passengers were hit by three days of strikes by drivers.
Aslef members have also been operating an overtime ban.Aslef members have also been operating an overtime ban.
The RMT union, which mostly represents conductors, has been involved in industrial action since last April.The RMT union, which mostly represents conductors, has been involved in industrial action since last April.
Earlier, Southern ranked worst of all the rail firms in the country in a customer satisfaction survey, commissioned by consumer organisation Which?.Earlier, Southern ranked worst of all the rail firms in the country in a customer satisfaction survey, commissioned by consumer organisation Which?.