Southern Rail drivers call off 3-day strike

AN END to the industrial action that has blighted Southern Rail commuters’ lives came closer yesterday after drivers agreed to call off strikes in return for fresh talks.

Hopes were raised that a meeting today could help end the dispute which has caused chaos for more than ten months.

Train drivers had been due to walk out again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week. But yesterday morning, Aslef, the train drivers’ union, offered to suspend strikes in return for ‘intensive’ talks with rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway, parent company of Southern.

A ban on overtime will also be lifted. Both sides expressed hope for a resolution to the row, centring on the role of conductors.

The new talks will be chaired jointly by Andy Meadows, group HR director at a different train company, Abellio, and Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC.

In a joint statement, they said yesterday: ‘We are committed to finding a fair solution.’ The RMT union, representing striking guards, asked to be involved in ‘the same process’. But meanwhile, its planned strikes remained on.

Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said: ‘We propose that Aslef and Southern engage in intensive talks under the auspices of the TUC.’

Charles Horton, Govia chief executive, said: ‘We’ve always made clear our willingness to engage in meaningful talks with Aslef.’