RMT confirms rail strikes to go ahead

THE biggest rail union has confirmed that strikes on Southern Railway will go ahead over the new year as a bitter dispute over the role of conductors remains deadlocked.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out for three days from New Year’s Eve in the latest wave of industrial action which has led to disruption and cancellations. Strikes were held earlier this week.

The drivers’ union Aslef is continuing with a ban on overtime, which is also causing chaos to services.

Southern is pressing ahead with changing the role of conductors to on board supervisors from January.

In a message to union members, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The action this week has been rock solid and is sending a strong message to Southern that we stand fully united against their deplorable tactics and lack of concern for passenger safety and well-being.

“The amount of action and support you and your colleagues have taken in defending and safeguarding passengers is a true inspiration to the entire trade union movement.”