Union announces new strike on March 12 for Southern Rail

Workers on Southern Railway are to stage a fresh strike on March 12 in the long-running dispute over the role of guards, the RMT union announced. 

The rail union confirmed today that guards and drivers will walk out amid an on-going dispute over the role of the role of guards.

The parties are also at loggerheads of the extension of DOO and the guarantee of a ‘second safety-critical members of staff’ on Southern services. 

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said: ‘RMT is bitterly disappointed that Southern Rail and the DFT continue to reject our call for round table discussions involving all parties with an interest in resolving this dispute.

‘RMT pays tribute to our Southern Rail guards and drivers who have stood firm for nearly two years now in the fight for rail safety despite outrageous abuse and intimidation from the company. 

‘They are a credit to their communities and to the whole trade union movement as they continue to take action for safety in Britain’s longest running industrial dispute.

‘The union remains ready and waiting for genuine and meaningful talks with all parties.’ 

Commuters will fresh face misery when guards and driver members of the RMT walk out in March. Pictured: Southern Rail commuters at Victoria Station during a strike last year  

But Southern Railway has downplayed the impact on passengers and said the RMT ‘should face the reality’ of changes.

A spokesman told MailOnline: ‘The RMT strike will have no impact on the vast majority of passengers as we expect to run a normal service on most routes. 

‘We renew our call for the union to end this pointless dispute. 

‘The RMT should face the reality that the changes they are objecting to were successfully introduced a year ago.’