Southern Rail workers move Christmas strike dates

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union had planned to stop work for three days from December 22, but this has changed to a 48-hour stoppage from the 19th.

The union said it had moved the dates following consultation with members and passengers.

The long running dispute is over planned changes to the role of conductors.

Other strikes the union has called, from December 6-8 and from New Year’s Eve to January 2, remain in force.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘Our guards on Southern are in daily contact with passengers and the support for our fight to defend safety remains phenomenal.

‘RMT is truly grateful for the overwhelming public backing for the campaign to keep a second, safety-critical member of staff on Southern trains.

‘It is from that daily feedback from passengers that the union has taken the decision to alter the dates for action over Christmas. That’s the difference between us and Southern. We listen, they don’t.’