UPDATE: Southern Rail drivers vote for more strikes next month

Workers union Aslef made the announcement shortly after 12.30pm.

Members of the union backed walkouts by 87%, and other forms of action by 95%. The turnout was 77%.

The union’s executive is now deciding its next move.

The row is separate from the long-running dispute between Southern and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union over changes to the role of conductors.

Aslef accused the company of wanting to impose changes rather than reach an agreement.

In a statement general secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘Our trade dispute with the company is that there should be no introduction and/or extension of new driver-only operated routes on Southern without the agreement of Aslef.

‘We have genuinely sought to reach a compromise with Southern.

‘We have always been prepared to talk to the company and we have always been of the view that it should be possible to do a deal, but it takes two to tango and the company has not been prepared to negotiate.

‘They have dug in their heels and forced us to ballot our members.’

Aslef will have to give seven days notice of any industrial action.

Members of the RMT have staged a series of strikes on Southern in recent months, with three-day walkouts due to start on December 6, 22 and 31.

Southern services are also being disrupted on other days because of issues including a shortage of staff.