Southern Rail workers announce fresh strikes over Christmas and New Year

Workers on Southern Rail are to hold fresh strikes in the run-up to Christmas and over the New Year as the bitter row over changes to the role of conductors continues.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Nov 2016, 15:26 BST

Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:21 BST

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced the strike action ahead of another 48-hour walkout starting at midnight tonight.

Union members will strike from 00:01 on December 22 until 23:59 on Christmas Eve and again from 00:01 on New Year’s Eve until 23:59 on January 2.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said Southern’s owners, Govia Thameslink Railway, and the Government had made it clear they have no interest in resolving the long-running row.

He said: ‘Yet again, the sheer pig-headedness of the company and the Government means that our members are being forced to take further industrial action in a bid to maintain a safe and secure service on Southern Rail.’