Hundreds of thousands of Southern rail commuters were today hit by fresh travel misery as a new two-day rail strike got underway.
RMT union members have walked out for 48 hours in a long-running dispute with Southern’s parents company Govia Thameslink (GTR) over the role of train conductors.
Southern said the strike would “achieve nothing” and that it was pressing ahead with its plans.
The union has claimed rail bosses have “no interest in resolving the dispute”.
The strike action follows a series of one-day strikes and a five-day walkout last month that was called off mid-way through.
The RMT is fighting Southern’s move to re-categorise conductors as "on-board supervisors" - with drivers taking over responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors - over safety and job cuts.
The rail operator, which imposed the changes on 21 August after several strikes went ahead, insists the plans are safe and will mean fewer delays and cancellations.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT remains available for serious talks but GTR clearly have no interest in resolving the dispute and it is also clear that the Government are propping them up financially and politically.”
He added: “Just a fraction of the £100 million the GTR parent company is hoarding in profits would be enough to keep a guard on the Southern trains, keep the trains safe and accessible and resolve the dispute.”
Southern passenger services' director Alex Foulds said: "This two-day strike will achieve nothing. After many months of trying to reach agreement with the RMT, we are now moving forward with our plans for the benefit of customers and we urge the RMT to join us in putting passengers first.
"We have guaranteed all our on-board staff a job until the end of the franchise, with no reduction in salary. Our plans are safe, and will mean fewer cancelled trains."
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