Southern Rail strikes called off for talks with minister

SOUTHERN Rail drivers and guards have suspended strikes for talks with the Transport Secretary in a long hoped-for bid to resolve the bitter disputes over staffing and pay.

Rail unions RMT and Aslef have been at loggerheads with Southern Rail for more than a year over staffing levels and plans to cut guards on trains.

But Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has stepped in and agreed to speak to both unions as well as Southern Rail bosses, in an attempt to finally find a solution to the 16month stalemate.

The RMT said it had been contacted by Mr Grayling inviting general secretary Mick Cash to a meeting, subject to the suspension of the planned industrial action.

This means that the strikes called for Tuesday 1, Wednesday 2, and Friday 4 August will now not go ahead.