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Railway workers are about to strike on Southern Rail for the 33rd time

Southern Rail commuters are facing fresh misery this morning as workers stage their 33rd strike in just over a year.

The latest walkout is once again to do with the bitter dispute between Southern and the RMT over plans to extend driver-only trains and remove guards from services.

Despite the strike action, Southern were confident that services would run as planned.

Southern Rail has been hit with 33 strikes in just over a year (Rex)
Southern Rail has been hit with 33 strikes in just over a year (Rex)

A spokesperson said: “We don’t expect the RMT union’s strike to have any effect on our service on Monday and we plan to run the amended timetable that’s in place during Aslef’s driver overtime ban.”

The strike is the third in as many days as members of the RMT union at Southern, Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North mounted picket lines outside stations as services were disrupted or cancelled.

Drivers on Merseyrail, who are in the Aslef union, were not expected to cross picket lines, leaving managers to drive trains.

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RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Once again this morning safety-critical staff on Southern Rail are being forced by this rogue rail operator to take action in defence of safe and accessible services.

“It is a disgrace that Southern have chosen to continue their war on staff and passengers alike rather than negotiate a settlement that protects the principle of safe railways for all.

“RMT members on Southern, Northern and Merseyrail remain absolutely rock-solid and determined in separate disputes that have the common objective of putting safe rail travel before private profit.

Workers are striking over plans to take guards off trains (Rex)
Workers are striking over plans to take guards off trains (Rex)

“The total failure of these profiteering rail companies, egged on and encouraged by their political masters in the minority Tory Government, to make a single move to resolve these disputes, speaks volumes.

“RMT is available for serious talks but every approach we make is kicked back in our faces.

“It’s time for the rail companies and the Government to get out of the bunker and get talks on that address the fundamental issues of safety, accessibility and the guard guarantee.”

Top pic: Rex