Train strike: London Waterloo passengers face disruption as South Western Railway walkouts loom

SWR: Commuters on the concourse during the evening rush hour at Waterloo
PA
Hatty Collier4 October 2017

Commuters using a major rail route into London face disruption after train workers voted in favour of strike action in a fresh row over the role of guards on trains.

RMT union members, who work for South Western Railway, backed walkouts by 4-1 on a turnout of 76 per cent, well above the 50 per cent threshold in the Trade Union Act.

South Western Railway took over from South West Trains in August, running services to and from London Waterloo.

It is the fifth operator in the UK to be embroiled in a dispute over the role of guards and driver-only trains.

The RMT claims the rail operator has failed to give “cast-iron assurances” over the future of guards on its trains.

SWR said it has been clear that it plans to retain a second person on board its services and that it was to increase the numbers of drivers and guards.

Union general secretary Mick Cash said: “This dispute can be easily resolved if the company are prepared to stick to existing agreements, give staff and passengers alike a guarantee of a second, safety-critical member of staff on all current services and an assurance that safety and access are the absolute priority."

A SWR spokesman said: "We are disappointed that some of our staff have chosen to vote for industrial action.

"None of us want to be in this position and any potential action will cause unnecessary disruption for the customers we serve.

"We have been clear that we plan to retain a second person on our services, as we know that our passengers value the assurance and assistance a second member of on-board staff provides.

"That's why, during our franchise, we will increase the numbers of drivers and guards so we can deliver more services for passengers.”

The spokesman urged the RMT to work with the rail firm and said talks would be held on October 5.

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