Southern Rail asks passengers to tweet RMT Union over rail strikes - and it backfired spectacularly

An attempt by beleaguered Southern rail to gain the support of Twitter users during a trade union dispute has backfired.

The railway company asked its followers to tweet messages to the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) to “tell them how rail strikes make you feel”.

However, angry passengers vented their frustrations back at Southern rail on Monday morning.

The tweet from the rail company had the headline, “Let’s Strike Back”, but it got more than it bargained for.

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Southern and the RMT are locked in a long-running stand-off over the role of conductors, which has resulted in the threat of strike action.

Southern sent out this tweet (Picture: Twitter)

The network faces four days of strike action in five blocks from next month.

On Monday, Southern said the RMT must accept its latest offer or it will terminate conductors’ contracts.

Twitter users were quick to strike back in their own way (Picture: Twitter)

Southern’s passengers were not amused by its Twitter appeal, replying to the #southernbackontrack hashtag with complaints about its handling of the dispute and its service in general.

Customers were unhappy (Picture: Twitter)

User Matt Woosie wrote: “I’d rather be delayed by a strike than your company’s inability to hire enough staff.”

Martin Cox said: “You brought this on yourselves. We, your customers are suffering. Let’s be radical. Employ more staff.”

Passengers united on Twitter to criticise Southern (Picture: Twitter)

Simon Cox posted: “You are kidding? I dislike unions but I dislike incompetent management more. You provide the service - get on with it.”

Southern passengers vented their frustrations (Picture: Twitter)

Nik Fletcher said: “My connecting train home has been cancelled every day under revised timetable. And now you expect me to advocate for you?”

And Ellie Awford wrote: “I assumed there was a @RMTunion strike this morning - but no, just the standard poorly run service #SouthernBackOnTrack #southernfail.”

Passenger protested against Southern during the summer (Picture: PA)

Southern’s original tweet from its official @SouthernRailUK account read: “Time to get back on track. Tweet @RMTunion & tell them how rail strikes make you feel”.

Passengers have been unhappy with the Southern service (Picture: PA)

It included a poster picture, which read: “Let’s Strike Back. The RMT won’t listen to us. But they may listen to you.”

There was anger on Twitter at the Southern campaign (Picture: Twitter)

The strikes will start on October 11 and will be held intermittently until December 8.

(Main picture: PA)