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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/02/southern-rail-deal-reached-to-end-strikes-over-driver-only-trains
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| Southern rail and union agree deal to end strikes over driver-only trains | Southern rail and union agree deal to end strikes over driver-only trains |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A deal has been agreed between Southern rail and the Aslef union to end a dispute over driver-only trains, the TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, has announced. | A deal has been agreed between Southern rail and the Aslef union to end a dispute over driver-only trains, the TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, has announced. |
| The result of the negotiations held at the TUC between operating company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and drivers’ union Aslef was announced on Thursday. | The result of the negotiations held at the TUC between operating company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and drivers’ union Aslef was announced on Thursday. |
| A series of strikes by drivers had brought trains to a halt, while an overtime ban saw branch lines closed and services severely disrupted from early December until talks began. | A series of strikes by drivers had brought trains to a halt, while an overtime ban saw branch lines closed and services severely disrupted from early December until talks began. |
| Strikes planned for late January were suspended while Aslef started fresh talks to resolve the row over driver-only operated trains, which drivers said were potentially unsafe. | Strikes planned for late January were suspended while Aslef started fresh talks to resolve the row over driver-only operated trains, which drivers said were potentially unsafe. |
| In a statement at the TUC headquarters in central London, O’Grady said: “Following two weeks of intensive talks, the parties have now reached an agreement. | |
| “For avoidance of doubt, subject to securing the support of Aslef members, the dispute between Aslef and Southern is over.” | |
| No details of the deal are expected before it has been put to a vote by union members. | No details of the deal are expected before it has been put to a vote by union members. |
| GTR, along with the Rail Safety and Standards Board, argued that driver-only operation (DOO) was common practice on much of the rail network, including on Southern’s sister service Thameslink. | GTR, along with the Rail Safety and Standards Board, argued that driver-only operation (DOO) was common practice on much of the rail network, including on Southern’s sister service Thameslink. |
| But unions have resisted any further extension of the practice. Aslef argues that railways have become more crowded, with longer trains and far more passengers, and the principle of one crew member on board is no longer safe. | But unions have resisted any further extension of the practice. Aslef argues that railways have become more crowded, with longer trains and far more passengers, and the principle of one crew member on board is no longer safe. |
| The union says its drivers cannot process the CCTV screens in the cab as safely as a conductor standing outside the train, before closing the doors. | The union says its drivers cannot process the CCTV screens in the cab as safely as a conductor standing outside the train, before closing the doors. |
| GTR’s dispute with the RMT continues. The union, which represents conductors, who have been rebranded as onboard supervisors, was not involved in the talks. | GTR’s dispute with the RMT continues. The union, which represents conductors, who have been rebranded as onboard supervisors, was not involved in the talks. |
| However, RMT strikes, which began last April, have had a comparatively limited effect on the running of the service. | However, RMT strikes, which began last April, have had a comparatively limited effect on the running of the service. |
| Although the terms of any deal reached between GTR and Aslef have yet to be confirmed, it should avert any more total stoppages. | Although the terms of any deal reached between GTR and Aslef have yet to be confirmed, it should avert any more total stoppages. |
| The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said: “I’m very pleased that Aslef and Southern have reached an agreement. I think it’s good news for passengers. | The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said: “I’m very pleased that Aslef and Southern have reached an agreement. I think it’s good news for passengers. |
| “I’m very grateful to those who have been involved, from the TUC and the help they’ve provided, to the HR director of Abellio who has been a real help in making this possible. | “I’m very grateful to those who have been involved, from the TUC and the help they’ve provided, to the HR director of Abellio who has been a real help in making this possible. |
| “We now need to concentrate on getting this railway back to normal, sorting out other challenges, but I hope this means passengers are going to start to see things operate on a normal basis again. | “We now need to concentrate on getting this railway back to normal, sorting out other challenges, but I hope this means passengers are going to start to see things operate on a normal basis again. |
| Performance on Southern, including punctuality and cancellations, had worsened before the industrial action, with staff shortages and engineering works contributing to the company’s problems. Last week, the national rail passenger survey confirmed that Southern was the worst-performing train operator. | Performance on Southern, including punctuality and cancellations, had worsened before the industrial action, with staff shortages and engineering works contributing to the company’s problems. Last week, the national rail passenger survey confirmed that Southern was the worst-performing train operator. |
| This week, commuters launched a legal claim to attempt to force the Department for Transport to take action over the failing train service. | |
| GTR has claimed that the responsibility for the breakdown in service was outside its control, which the DfT has yet to respond to. | GTR has claimed that the responsibility for the breakdown in service was outside its control, which the DfT has yet to respond to. |
| Nick Brown, GTR’s chief operating “Our aim has always been to reach agreement with the unions on our proposals and we’re delighted to have secured a deal today with Aslef to end their dispute. | |
| “It’s good news for passengers, the regional economy and staff. After the misery and disruption to people’s work and family lives, we are pleased we can start to move forward and deliver a better railway for the travelling public.” | |
| Mike Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, said: “I am pleased that we have finally been able to reach an agreement with the company which reflects the concerns of train drivers. I believe this deal can deliver a safer and appropriately staffed railway for passengers on Southern rail and I will be recommending it to Aslef members.” | Mike Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, said: “I am pleased that we have finally been able to reach an agreement with the company which reflects the concerns of train drivers. I believe this deal can deliver a safer and appropriately staffed railway for passengers on Southern rail and I will be recommending it to Aslef members.” |
| RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “RMT was not party to the talks brokered by the TUC with GTR. As a result of that we have no details whatsoever on any deal that has been agreed by the parties who were granted a seat at the table. | RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “RMT was not party to the talks brokered by the TUC with GTR. As a result of that we have no details whatsoever on any deal that has been agreed by the parties who were granted a seat at the table. |
| “Consequently, we have no information on what impact any deal that may have been reached will have on nearly 500 guards who have been involved in an industrial dispute over safety for the best part of a year. That is an appalling way for that group of workers to be treated. | “Consequently, we have no information on what impact any deal that may have been reached will have on nearly 500 guards who have been involved in an industrial dispute over safety for the best part of a year. That is an appalling way for that group of workers to be treated. |
| “RMT’s dispute remains on. The union is aware of the offer of further talks from the company. Once we have the full details of the deal that has been struck today, and an assurance that the terms of reference of those talks will focus on the retention of a second safety-critical member of staff on Southern services, we can agree an immediate date for negotiations to commence.” | “RMT’s dispute remains on. The union is aware of the offer of further talks from the company. Once we have the full details of the deal that has been struck today, and an assurance that the terms of reference of those talks will focus on the retention of a second safety-critical member of staff on Southern services, we can agree an immediate date for negotiations to commence.” |