We WILL sack you: Southern Rail’s ultimatum to conductors threatening more strikes

Train conductors who work for Southern Rail could lose their jobs if they refuse to sign up to new working conditions.

Hundreds of conductors’ jobs are under threat after talks between the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Southern over the role of conductors collapsed yesterday, sparking more strikes and weeks of travel misery.

A series of 14 days of strikes will now be held, starting with a three-day walkout from next Tuesday, and continuing the travel chaos that rail passengers across the South East have endured for months.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which owns Southern, said it will now write to conductors terminating their contracts and inviting them to sign up to the new ‘on-board supervisor’ (OBS) role, effective from January 1. If they refuse to sign up to the new working conditions, hundreds of guards face losing their jobs.

During yesterday’s meeting, the RMT and train operators failed to reach an agreement - both blaming the other side.

Chaos - travellers on Southern race more misery (Pictures: PA)

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The union is angry and disappointed that a fresh set of proposals put forward today, that address both our issues and the company agenda, have been rejected out of hand with barely a cursory glance.

He added: "The travelling public will be rightly angry that the company have kicked back in our faces a chance to resolve this long-running dispute.”

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The RMT said its proposals would allow conductors to move to the new role of OBS, but for an agreed transitional period the role would keep all the current safety competencies required for a conductor.

The union argues that giving a driver responsibility for opening and closing train doors is unsafe, and all trains should have conductors if they are to run.

Blame - both sides blame the other for the failure to reach a deal

Charles Horton, chief executive of GTR, said he was "deeply disappointed” that RMT leaders had rejected a final offer, which included a £2,000 payment for affected conductors.

“All they have offered is a superficial rebadging of the conductors as on-board supervisors in name only. What the RMT want to do is retain their power and control by insisting that our trains cannot run under any circumstances without a conductor on board, leading to more delays and cancellations.

"I am incredibly sorry about the months of misery our passengers have suffered. Our aim is to make a significant change to put services back on track and get our passengers where they want, safely and on time.”

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