RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that guards and driver members on Southern Rail will take further strike action exactly as scheduled on Monday in the on-going dispute in defence of the role of the guard, the extension of DOO and the guarantee of a second safety-critical member of staff on Southern services.

RMT’s NEC has agreed that due to the failure of both the Government and GTR to make any serious efforts to resolve the dispute to instruct Southern guards and driver members not to book on for any shifts that commence between 0001 and 2359 on Monday 12 March 2018.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said:

“RMT is bitterly disappointed that Southern Rail and the DFT continue to reject our call for round table discussions involving all parties with an interest in resolving this dispute.

“RMT pays tribute to our Southern Rail guards and drivers who have stood firm for nearly 2 years now in the fight for rail safety despite outrageous abuse and intimidation from the company. They are a credit to their communities and to the whole trade union movement as they continue to take action for safety in Britain’s longest running industrial dispute.

“The union remains ready and waiting for genuine and meaningful talks with all parties.”