Southern Rail drivers set to strike again

HUNDREDS of thousands of commuters face more chaos after fewer than 400 train drivers rejected a second attempt by union bosses to reach a peace deal with Southern Rail.

Commuters reacted with fury after Aslef members voted to reject the attempt at conciliation after weeks of talks, paving the way for more strikes on a service which has been crippled by industrial action for the past year.

The strikes have spread across the country as Aslef has joined forces with the Rail Maritime and Transport union, which represents guards.

Aslef members yesterday rejected the second attempt at a peace deal, with 372 members (51.8 per cent) voting against it and 346 (48.2 per cent) approving it. Edward Reid, 35, an accountant who travels into London daily from Brighton, said: ‘ The transport network into London is being brought to a standstill by just 372 cynical individuals. It is absolutely outrageous.’

Sian Phipps, a designer who commutes into London, said: ‘The economic wreckage of this dispute has been immense – people have lost their jobs, businesses have closed and I know couples who have split up. This should never be allowed to happen.

‘It is simply ruining the country and I can’t believe they have rejected the deal.’

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘We understand and support the decision arrived at in a democratic vote by our drivers.’