Southern Rail threaten court action unless RMT union calls off crippling three-day strike
Walkouts called as part of long-running dispute over role of guards on services
SOUTHERN RAIL dramatically upped its fierce battle with the RMT today by threatening court action unless the union calls off a crippling three-day strike.
On the eve of a fresh walk-out by guards, Southern Rail served notice on the RMT after calling off peace talks at Acas.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash called the move “appalling” and insisted it would press ahead with the industrial action at one past midnight tonight.
Five sets of strikes are planned this year.
- Tuesday October 11 to Thursday October 13
- Tuesday October 18 to Thursday October 20
- Thursday November 3 to Saturday November 5
- Tuesday November 22 to Wednesday November 23
- Tuesday December 6 to Thursday December 8
But Southern said it had no other choice – adding that the RMT told their members to accept a deal on Friday, only to then press ahead with a strike.
A spokesman for beleaguered rail operator said: “We have written to the RMT about the validity of the dispute in light of recent developments.
“We await their response and will consider all possible options to stop the strike and that includes a legal challenge.”
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Southern runs commuter services from London to Brighton, Dover and Hastings.
The bitter 10-month dispute over the removal of guards, or conductors, from Southern Trains has dragged the operator’s reputation through the mud with a wave of protests by commuters furious at huge delays.
Mr Cash urged members to ignore the threat of legal action and head to picket line as planned to “show your determination and solidarity in your fight for justice”.
He said: “RMT can confirm the receipt of a formal legal challenge from Southern Rail in the guards safety dispute.
“It is appalling that rather than sitting down with us at Acas today to seek a resolution the company have chosen to run to the courts under the cloak of the anti-union laws.
“The union intends to continue with the planned action and is examining the details of the paperwork . We will issue a further statement in due course.”
Customers have already suffered months of delays and disruption because of the dispute, which centres around plans to allow drivers to open and close doors.
Talks aimed at stopping the strike action collapsed on Thursday, but on Friday it was reported that the RMT had advised conductors to accept a deal.
Southern said nearly all 156 stations will have either a train or bus service of some kind on strike days.
It expects to run 61% of its normal timetable.
A spokesman for Southern Railway said: “On Friday they told their conductor members to accept a deal, and then tomorrow they plan to strike against it.
"It is a situation which will leave our passengers baffled, and in that context we are presently considering all possible options to stop the strike.
“We have written to the RMT about the validity of the dispute in light of recent developments.
"We await their response and will consider all possible options to stop the strike and that includes a legal challenge."
Separately, the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, insisted that removing guards from trains did not affect safety.
Paul Plummer, Rail Delivery Group chief executive, added: “The rail industry must modernise to deliver the better services passengers expect and deserve.”
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