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Southern rail drivers balloted on fresh strikes Southern rail system in poor shape, report says amid fresh strike threat
(35 minutes later)
Southern rail infrastructure is in “poor and unreliable” condition and all elements of the system have been under strain, a delayed report into the company’s performance says.
The long-awaited document by Network Rail director Chris Gibb criticises industrial action taken by Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union over the past year in protest at driver-only trains, which has caused travel chaos.
But the report, completed last year, also makes it clear that the Department for Transport, Southern’s owners Govia Thameslink Railway, Network Rail as well as the unions, have been “well aware” of how much strain the system has been under.
“Some elements of the system have been considered largely as an afterthought, such as train maintenance depots and stations such as [London] Victoria,” says the report.
“On Southern, all elements of the system have been under strain: unreliable infrastructure, a timetable that is very tight and with overcrowded peak services, some key stations that are overcrowded, depots that are full and for historic reasons are in the wrong place, and people involved in informal and formal industrial action.
“The system cannot possibly work to passengers’ satisfaction with these components in this state.”
Southern rail drivers are to be balloted for strikes over pay, threatening disruption at the start of the school holidays.Southern rail drivers are to be balloted for strikes over pay, threatening disruption at the start of the school holidays.
The company said the drivers’ union Aslef had notified it that voting would start on 29 June and close on 13 July, so the first walkout could be on 27 July.The company said the drivers’ union Aslef had notified it that voting would start on 29 June and close on 13 July, so the first walkout could be on 27 July.
Aslef members are due to start a ban on overtime on 29 June in the long-running dispute over driver-only trains, which will cause fresh misery for Southern’s 300,000 passengers.Aslef members are due to start a ban on overtime on 29 June in the long-running dispute over driver-only trains, which will cause fresh misery for Southern’s 300,000 passengers.
News of the new ballot came before the publication of a long-awaited report for the government into Southern, which has been hit by strikes, staff shortages and other problems for over a year.
The report, by the Network Rail director Chris Gibb, will criticise Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union for the series of strikes they have taken.
The Department for Transport and Southern’s owners, Govia Thameslink Railway, will also be criticised.
The report, which Gibb gave to the government last year, will also lay some of the blame on long-term problems such as under-investment.
Southern said it had offered drivers a deal worth more than 23% but it would be withdrawn if the overtime ban went ahead.Southern said it had offered drivers a deal worth more than 23% but it would be withdrawn if the overtime ban went ahead.
A spokesman said: “People will be amazed the Aslef leadership has rejected such a significant pay offer for their members, especially as they have twice before accepted the extension of driver-controlled operation which has now been in place for over six months.A spokesman said: “People will be amazed the Aslef leadership has rejected such a significant pay offer for their members, especially as they have twice before accepted the extension of driver-controlled operation which has now been in place for over six months.
“Aslef should now suspend the overtime ban pending the result of this new ballot because we won’t be able to keep our pay offer on the table if they press ahead with interim industrial action.“Aslef should now suspend the overtime ban pending the result of this new ballot because we won’t be able to keep our pay offer on the table if they press ahead with interim industrial action.
“This ballot is a real chance for drivers to end this dispute by showing they want to accept the 23.8% pay offer and work with us to modernise the congested Southern network as updated infrastructure, trains and working practices provide the service passengers need and deserve.”“This ballot is a real chance for drivers to end this dispute by showing they want to accept the 23.8% pay offer and work with us to modernise the congested Southern network as updated infrastructure, trains and working practices provide the service passengers need and deserve.”
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, has called for the company to be stripped of its franchise for its “failure” to deliver services.
He said: “We have been talking to the company over the last fortnight in parallel, but separate, talks about drivers’ terms and conditions; industrial relations and pay.
“The company’s failure to engage over driver-only operation is the reason our members will no longer work overtime - which, of course, is entirely voluntary - from June 29.”
Whelan said a pay rise was eight months behind schedule, accusing the company of refusing to negotiate until recently. Aslef and Southern clashed on the impact of overtime, with the union saying the company relies on drivers working voluntary overtime to run at least 25% of its services but Southern insisting it was only 10%.