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South Western Railway conductors vote to strike as tube talks continue Tube strike suspended but South Western Trains disruption looms
(about 3 hours later)
Passengers on South Western Railway are likely to face disruption to services after conductors voted to strike, as the dispute that plagued Southern moves to another major commuter rail network. A planned tube strike that was expected to bring most of the London Underground network to a halt on Thursday has been suspended.
Passengers had been warned to expect transport chaos from a 24-hour strike by drivers in the Aslef union. But after a second day of talks at Acas, Transport for London and Aslef appear to have moved close enough to resolving a dispute over work-life balance and rosters to suspend the action
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on London Underground, said: “We have always been prepared to keep talking to resolve this dispute but Aslef always has, and always will, insist that management stick to agreements they make with us.
“Our ballot remains live and we will not hesitate to call action in the future if needed to ensure all the commitments made are fully delivered.”
However, passengers on South Western Railway are likely to face disruption to services after conductors voted to strike, as the dispute that plagued Southern moves to another major commuter rail network.
The ballot result came while RMT members took strike action on four other rail services across the country in the escalating row over the future of guards on trains – and as separate talks continued in London to avert a tube strike on Thursday.The ballot result came while RMT members took strike action on four other rail services across the country in the escalating row over the future of guards on trains – and as separate talks continued in London to avert a tube strike on Thursday.
The union said that First MTR, the company that took over the running of the South Western franchise in August, had failed to give clear, solid assurances on the issue.The union said that First MTR, the company that took over the running of the South Western franchise in August, had failed to give clear, solid assurances on the issue.
The union’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “RMT has given repeated opportunities for First MTR to give us the assurances we have sought over the future role of the guards on their trains throughout the length of the new South Western franchise. They have refused to give us those guarantees.The union’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “RMT has given repeated opportunities for First MTR to give us the assurances we have sought over the future role of the guards on their trains throughout the length of the new South Western franchise. They have refused to give us those guarantees.
“Our members have now voted overwhelmingly for both strike action and action short of a strike, and that massive mandate will now be considered by RMT’s executive, who will decide the next steps.”“Our members have now voted overwhelmingly for both strike action and action short of a strike, and that massive mandate will now be considered by RMT’s executive, who will decide the next steps.”
He added: “Guards on South Western have been hailed as ‘legends’ in company publicity material. It is time for First MTR to stand by those legends and to withdraw the threat to throw them off the trains.“He added: “Guards on South Western have been hailed as ‘legends’ in company publicity material. It is time for First MTR to stand by those legends and to withdraw the threat to throw them off the trains.“
A South Western Railway spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that some of our staff have chosen to vote for industrial action. None of us want to be in this position and any potential action will cause unnecessary disruption for the customers we serve.A South Western Railway spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that some of our staff have chosen to vote for industrial action. None of us want to be in this position and any potential action will cause unnecessary disruption for the customers we serve.
“We have been clear that we plan to retain a second person on our services, as we know that our passengers value the assurance and assistance a second member of on-board staff provides. That’s why, during our franchise, we will increase the numbers of drivers and guards so we can deliver more services for passengers.”“We have been clear that we plan to retain a second person on our services, as we know that our passengers value the assurance and assistance a second member of on-board staff provides. That’s why, during our franchise, we will increase the numbers of drivers and guards so we can deliver more services for passengers.”
South Western is the UK’s biggest operator outside the combined Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern franchise, serving 230m passenger journeys last year, including all trains to London Waterloo, the UK’s busiest station.South Western is the UK’s biggest operator outside the combined Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern franchise, serving 230m passenger journeys last year, including all trains to London Waterloo, the UK’s busiest station.
Cash said strike action on four other rail services – Northern,‎ Southern, Merseyrail and Greater Anglia – was “rock solid”. Further strikes were planned for Thursday. Southern and Greater Anglia said they planned to run a full, normal service, despite the strikes, although Northern and Merseyrail trains have been disrupted. Cash said strike action on four other rail services – Northern,‎ Southern, Merseyrail and Greater Anglia – was “rock solid”. Southern and Greater Anglia said they planned to run a full, normal service, despite the strikes, although Northern and Merseyrail trains have been disrupted.
The Rail Delivery Group, which speaks for train operators, condemned the action as “needless and opportunistic”.The Rail Delivery Group, which speaks for train operators, condemned the action as “needless and opportunistic”.
Paul Plummer, its chief executive, said: “Passengers, communities and Britain want rail companies working together to deliver a long-term plan to improve services, not needless and opportunistic attempts to disrupt lives and the economy as we have seen across the north today.” Chief executive Paul Plummer said: “Passengers, communities and Britain want rail companies working together to deliver a long-term plan to improve services, not needless and opportunistic attempts to disrupt lives and the economy as we have seen across the north today.”
Meanwhile, talks continued between Transport for London and the Aslef drivers union to avert a tube strike in the capital on Thursday. Passengers have been warned there will be no service on most of the underground if a 24-hour strike by drivers goes ahead. Some services are likely to finish early on Wednesday evening and start later on Friday because of the planned walkout.
Road journeys are also likely to take significantly longer, especially around Wembley, where England play a World Cup qualifying match on Thursday evening.
Both sides have expressed hope that a second day of talks at the conciliation service Acas could find a solution to the dispute. Drivers claim that pledges over work-life balance and rosters, made as part of a pay deal, have not been honoured.
Nigel Holness, the director of network operations for London Underground, said: “We are committed to ensuring that our employees are able to maintain a good balance between their work and personal lives and we have been working closely with the unions on new ways to achieve this. I encourage the Aslef leadership to continue working with us constructively rather than moving towards unnecessary strike action.”