South Western Railway workers to join strike action before Christmas as union talks with government collapse

Chris Broom
By Chris Broom
Published 2nd Dec 2022, 16:38 BST
Updated 2nd Dec 2022, 17:14 BST
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A RAILWAY workers union has served notice for strike action at a further six train operating companies – including South Western Railway – and Network Rail – just hours after meetings with a government minister in a long-running row over jobs, pay and conditions.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said thousands of its members will walk out on December 17. Further industrial action over the Christmas and new year period is being actively considered, the TSSA said.

The notice follows four weeks of intensive talks which the union said failed to produce a written offer from Network Rail or the Rail Delivery Group.

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The TSSA and officials from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union held separate talks on Friday with rail minister Huw Merriman. The TSSA has already announced strikes on December 17 at Avanti West Coast and c2c.

from release South Western Railway staff select Hampshire charities as new partners as it expands charitable support across its network Picture; Stuart Baileyfrom release South Western Railway staff select Hampshire charities as new partners as it expands charitable support across its network Picture; Stuart Bailey
from release South Western Railway staff select Hampshire charities as new partners as it expands charitable support across its network Picture; Stuart Bailey

Luke Chester, TSSA organising director, said strike action is only ‘an exasperated last resort’ and added: ‘Our members are fed up of being treated with contempt by employers and government alike.

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‘We’ve sat through hundreds of hours of talks and have moved mountains to make progress on modernisation details, staffing and jobs. But still there is no offer in writing and nothing whatsoever on pay, despite inflation biting our members hard. We understand it is only the government withholding authority that’s standing in the way of an offer being put in writing. If strikes go ahead this Christmas, the blame lies entirely with the Tory Government.

TSSA members working in management, station, control, revenue protection, on-board and a variety of operational and support roles will be involved in the strike on December 17.

Related topics:Network RailAvanti West Coast

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