A week of rail strikes on some of London’s busiest commuter lines was ordered today by union chiefs.
They instructed more than 200 key engineers working for Southern Rail, which operates services from Surrey and Sussex into London Bridge and Victoria, to stop work from 5pm on Sunday, July 12 and not return until 5pm on Friday, July 17 in a long-running dispute over working conditions.
The union claims there has been a “comprehensive breakdown in industrial relations.” The strike means more misery for Southern’s commuters after months of delays and overcrowding.
A spokeswoman for Southern said: “We are disappointed that the RMT has decided to take this action at this time in the franchise, especially as we have been having meaningful talks with the Union throughout this process.”
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: “The RMT will not have our members left unrewarded as they hit work targets and then face a barrage of attacks on working conditions.”
Millions of Tube passengers will not know until the last minute whether a strike planned for next Wednesday and Thursday over pay and the night Tube will go ahead.
Talks reached a stalemate last night and will not resume until Monday.