RMT’s row over role of the guard to spread as it ballots Arriva Rail North workers for strikes February 9, 2017 Southern rail and Aslef union might have struck a deal in the long-running dispute over the role of the guard (subject to a members' referendum), but the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is yet to follow suit. And now it's balloting workers on Arriva Rail North for strikes in another row over the role of [...]
Aslef says there are “serious misunderstandings” about its deal with Southern rail February 7, 2017 Aslef has said there are "serious misunderstandings" around the deal it has agreed with Southern rail to resolve the long-running row over changes to guards' roles. Details of the deal were given to drivers over the weekend and the agreement has been described as a "shocking betrayal" by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. The deal [...]
Department for Transport (DfT) “effectively enabled” Southern owner to avoid breach of contract, says Transport Select Committee February 5, 2017 The government's handling of the Southern rail crisis has "effectively enabled" Southern's parent firm Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to avoid breach of contract, says a damning new report on rail franchising. The report, by the Transport Select Committee, said that given the exposure of the taxpayer to the failings of the franchise, it was "unacceptable for the [...]
Cancer Research UK London Winter Run: Here’s a list of all the roads that’ll be shut and where to go to watch February 4, 2017 Thinking of heading into town tomorrow? That's fine, but be braced for a raft of road closures that might slightly impede your progress. Don't worry, the Tube strikes are still off – it's just a 10km Cancer Research UK Winter Run is going ahead tomorrow. And over 15,000 people took part last time, so you [...]
Light at the end of the tunnel: Southern rail owner and RMT to meet for fresh talks next week after Aslef deal February 3, 2017 The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has agreed to meet with Southern rail's parent company for fresh face-to-face talks, in an effort to settle its long-running dispute over the role of the guard. It comes after an agreement was reached between Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and train drivers' union Aslef in their row, which should bring an end [...]
All you need to know about next week’s massive Tube strike February 3, 2017 Just in: next week's Tube strikes have been suspended after last-ditch talks were held this week between the RMT union and London Underground bosses. There was going to be more strike action next week with more than 3,000 members of the RMT union planning to walk out over ticket office closures and job cuts. Read more: Every [...]
The story behind the Tube strike – a new era of ‘smart travel’ beckons February 3, 2017 Next week’s proposed strike action is yet again set to cause travel misery across the capital. However, amidst the inevitable swathe of discontent as commuters take to crowded buses, bikes, and hit the pavement in a desperate bid to make it into the office, we should take this opportunity to look at the bigger picture. [...]
Next week’s Tube strikes are off: RMT suspends action February 3, 2017 Planned Tube strikes for next week have been suspended, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced. It had met with London Underground (LU) bosses this week at conciliation service Acas to try and avoid more strike action taking place from Sunday. More than 3,000 of the union's members were poised to walk out from 6pm on Sunday until [...]
No more misery? Southern rail deal announced between the train operator and union Aslef February 2, 2017 A deal has been agreed in the long-running dispute between Southern rail and train drivers' union Aslef, in the wake of fresh talks. It is expected to bring the row over the so-called driver-only operated trains to a close, subject to a referendum of Aslef members. The ballot of Aslef drivers on whether to accept the deal [...]
Southern commuters launch legal claim as DfT faces fresh scrutiny over its handling of the crisis with National Audit Office investigation February 1, 2017 Southern rail commuters announced today they have launched a legal claim in an attempt to force the government to take action over the service. An application for a judicial review of the Department for Transport's (DfT) handling of the crisis has been filed by lawyers for the Association of British Commuters. A group spokesperson said: "It is right that [...]