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Deal struck with Aslef over Southern Rail dispute | Deal struck with Aslef over Southern Rail dispute |
(35 minutes later) | |
A deal aimed at ending the dispute between Southern Railway and the Aslef union over driver-only trains has been agreed. | A deal aimed at ending the dispute between Southern Railway and the Aslef union over driver-only trains has been agreed. |
Parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said both sides had secured a "recommended deal" after "constructive talks". | Parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said both sides had secured a "recommended deal" after "constructive talks". |
Mick Whelan, General Secretary of Aslef, said union members would now be balloted on the proposals. | Mick Whelan, General Secretary of Aslef, said union members would now be balloted on the proposals. |
The result of the vote will be announced on 3 April. | The result of the vote will be announced on 3 April. |
Mr Whelan said the new terms "offer solutions to our concerns, as well as restoring the confidence of all parties, and the travelling public". | Mr Whelan said the new terms "offer solutions to our concerns, as well as restoring the confidence of all parties, and the travelling public". |
GTR director Andy Bindon said he was pleased with the deal and hoped it would end "an extraordinarily difficult period for passengers, staff and the regional economy". | GTR director Andy Bindon said he was pleased with the deal and hoped it would end "an extraordinarily difficult period for passengers, staff and the regional economy". |
Aslef has been in dispute with GTR over driver-only operated (DOO) trains, and the firm's decision to turn guards into on-board supervisors and give responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors to drivers. | Aslef has been in dispute with GTR over driver-only operated (DOO) trains, and the firm's decision to turn guards into on-board supervisors and give responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors to drivers. |
The union's members have taken six days of strike action in recent months which have crippled Southern services. | The union's members have taken six days of strike action in recent months which have crippled Southern services. |
It also banned overtime which caused huge disruption to Southern's 300,000 passengers. | It also banned overtime which caused huge disruption to Southern's 300,000 passengers. |
In February, Aslef members rejected a deal with Southern by a majority of 54.1% in a similar ballot. It came after 11 days of talks between the rail operator and the union. | |
Just days before, talks between the Rail Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT) and Southern rail broke down without any deal agreement. | |
Mick Cash, leader of the RMT, which has also been taking strike action against Southern, said: "RMT has not seen the detail of the proposed outline agreement between GTR and Aslef and we are of course requesting a full copy as it goes to the heart of our disputes with the company. | Mick Cash, leader of the RMT, which has also been taking strike action against Southern, said: "RMT has not seen the detail of the proposed outline agreement between GTR and Aslef and we are of course requesting a full copy as it goes to the heart of our disputes with the company. |
"In the meantime RMT is pressing yet again for urgent talks with the company in our guards and drivers' disputes." | "In the meantime RMT is pressing yet again for urgent talks with the company in our guards and drivers' disputes." |
Analysis, by BBC South transport correspondent, Paul Clifton | |
This is not a done deal - yet. Last month, drivers unexpectedly rejected a deal brokered by their own union. | |
The margin wasn't large - 55% against - and the two sides have been talking ever since to find a way of bringing a majority of the members back on board. | |
We've not been told the details of the revised agreement. | |
But it's likely to include further improvements to CCTV monitoring systems drivers use when closing the train doors. | |
Passengers will be crossing their fingers that this time the deal will be strong enough to stick. | |
But the separate dispute involving train guards is not part of this deal, and the year-long action by the RMT union continues. |