TSSA: South Western Railway

White-collar union TSSA is balloting staff at South Western Railway for strikes and action short of strike, in a dispute over pay, conditions and job security.

Ballot papers were due to be sent on August 18, with the ballot closing on September 8.

The TSSA says it gave notice of a ballot “after SWR informed TSSA that they have no mandate from the Department for Transport to make any offer which would address the concerns raised in the dispute”.

The TSSA represents people working at stations, on-board trains, administration staff, supervisors, managers and controllers. The union is demanding a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies for 2022, no unagreed changes to terms and conditions, and a pay increase that reflects the rising cost of living.

TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Yet again we find ourselves in this position because SWR has its hands tied by Grant Shapps and this foolish Tory government.

“SWR staff have not seen a pay rise for over two years and are only asking for some basic fair treatment in the face of a cost-of-living-crisis.”