All you need to know about next week's Southern Rail strikes

File photo dated 11/06/15 0f a Southern Train as most rail passengers oppose plans to remove guards from trains, according to a survey ahead of a fresh strike over the role of conductors. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday May 17, 2016. See PA story INDUSTRY Rail. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire PPP-160519-120829001

Conductors are taking industrial action because of a safety dispute regarding the new role of conductors.

Here’s all you need to know about next week’s 48-hour strike:

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When are the strikes happening?

Workers will be leaving work from 00.01 on Tuesday morning (November 22) and returning to work after 23.59 on Wednesday (November 23).

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How will my journey be affected?

Although it is not yet clear which services will be affected, it is likely the disruption will be similar to previous strikes.

Southern Rail has said 62 per cent of the normal timetable will be running, and will be providing additional services.

This will include an additional service on the Tonbridge/Redhill Line, while trains between Victoria and Chichester will run later than last time.

The last services will leave Victoria at 21.36 and Chichester at 21.23.

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What about the safety dispute?

The RMT Union, which represents the workers, has warned staff they will receive letters from Southern Rail with a form asking them to agree not to take part in any more industrial action in return for receiving holiday pay.

The union is also considering legal action over the witholding of holiday pay.

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What have the two sides been saying about it?

Speaking about the strikes, Southern’s passenger services director Angie Doll said: ‘We are doing everything we can to provide as many services for our passengers as possible and I’m pleased that we’re able to add more services this time to help our passengers get where they need to go.

‘We’re sorry that, once again, our passengers are facing disruption through unnecessary industrial action.

‘Over 99% of affected conductors have now signed up to the new role, which makes this strike even more pointless.’

Speaking about the letters bering sent out by Southern, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘This is just another outrageous and bullying attack by this basket case company on frontline staff who are doing nothing other than fighting for public safety.

‘Trying to force staff to sign away their basic human rights has more in common with a right-wing military dictatorship than it does with a modern railway.’