Southern rail strike called off to allow for 'urgent' talks

A spokesman for the conciliation service said: "Southern and the RMT are returning to talks tomorrow under the auspices of Acas. Strike action has been suspended for Thursday and Friday."

The rail operator said tomorrow’s service would still run based on the strike timetable but it would add in extra services “wherever possible”.

Its reduced timetable, which was introduced on three weeks ago, is expected to be back in place on Friday.

Services run by the crisis-hit rail operator have been disrupted for months because of industrial action and a shortage of staff.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said in a message to members that he had contacted Southern with a way forward to resolve the dispute.

"Please be advised that I have now received communication from the conciliation service Acas informing me that the company will now enter into negotiations with our union officials without any preconditions.

"The National Executive Committee has had time to consider this matter and have acknowledged that some progress is being made. As the company have now agreed to meet with our union officials without the caveat of any preconditions the NEC has therefore instructed me to inform you and your colleagues that the strike action has now been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.”

A spokesman for Southern said: “We are encouraged that the RMT has accepted our offer to resume talks at ACAS and has agreed to call off its strike action. For our passengers sake we truly hope these talks will be productive and bring this long running dispute to an end.

“At present, the strike timetable is still in the industry train planning systems for Thursday and Friday. Regrettably, this means tomorrow’s service will be based upon the present strike timetable but we will do our very best to add services in and extend the hours of operation wherever possible.

“On Friday we plan to revert to the revised timetable operating before the strike.”