More RMT Strike Action For Southern Rail Commuters
Southern says most local services will operate normal timetable
Members of the RMT union are striking today (March 13th) across the Southern Rail network. Locally Southern says services are running in and out of Victoria but onward journeys north out of Clapham Junction are being affected.
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RMT, the transport workers' union, and Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink are locked in an on-going dispute about planned changes to the role of conductors, which would result in switching the responsibility for closing train doors to drivers.
The unions say that the move would be a threat to passenger safety and security, and that 400 guards could lose jobs.
Govia Thameslink says that by opposing the changes the unions are refusing to relinquish outdated working practices.
RMT general secretary Mike Cash said, "The abject failure by Southern Rail to meet with us to clarify their exact position on the second safety-critical member of staff and to take the safety issues seriously has left us with no option but to confirm further action.
"These disputes could have been settled if Southern/GTR had sat down and listened to our case and given the guarantee of a second safety-critical member of staff on their trains."
Southern says that during strike action passengers will be entitled to the usual compensation and refunds on trains delayed by 15 minutes or more. This also counts if you have travelled with another operator using your Southern ticket.
March 15, 2017