RMT announces industrial action as long-running dispute continues
Southern Rail workers plan to strike for six days over the Christmas period. The RMT union has announced members will strike on December 22nd, 23rd and Christmas Eve, and again on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and January 2nd.
The strikes are due to the long standing dispute with Southern's owners Govia over the role of train conductors.
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RMT and Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink cannot agree about planned changes to the role of the conductors, which would result in switching the responsibility for closing train doors to drivers.
The union says that 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Govia Thameslink says that by opposing the changes the union is refusing to relinquish outdated working practices.
November 5, 2016