GTR have announced that next week’s strike action by the RMT over the role of conductors on Southern trains has been postponed. However a new date has been announced for Friday 20 May 2016.
GTR maintain that strike action over the evolving role of conductors is totally unnecessary. GTR’s plans propose to make staff more accessible and more able to give better customer service to passengers on board Southern trains, by removing the need for conductors to close the doors. They say that this is how 40% of Southern services operate already. They also say that no one will be made compulsorily redundant and no one will lose salary.
GTR have said that they hope this additional time will offer the RMT the opportunity to pause and reflect on the impact their action is having on people and engage in meaningful discussions with us.
I will continue to keep you updated. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.