'Significant breakthrough' in talks suspends strikes on South Western Railway

A TRAIN strike due on Friday has been suspended after the RMT union said there had been a “significant breakthrough” in the dispute with South Western Railway over the future of guards.

Passengers had been facing three more days of industrial action including Saturday 9th March and Saturday 16th March in the latest round of walk-outs.

But yesterday evening (Monday) the RMT said its ruling executive had suspended the strikes after SWR, whose network includes the New Forest and Christchurch, agreed to guarantee a guard on the new and modified fleet of trains.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Firstly, we need to recognise that the breakthrough on the guard guarantee that has been secured today from South Western Railway has only been achieved through nearly two years of action and campaigning by RMT members on the principle of a safe and accessible railway for all.

“I want to pay tribute to the resilience, solidarity and determination of our guards and drivers on SWR that has sustained this long, hard campaign.

“I also want to thank the travelling public for their extraordinary support for the staff working at the sharp end of our rail services. That support has been another crucial factor in getting us to the breakthrough we have achieved today.

“Today’s offer of a guarantee of a guard on the SWR services in dispute is the substantial progress we have been pushing for and has allowed RMT’s executive to take the decision to suspend the current action to allow further talks to take place with the objective of reaching a final, agreed settlement.”

The proposals will have to be confirmed by further detailed talks but include a guard with “safety critical competencies” on new or modified rolling stock.

A spokesperson for South Western Railway said: “We are pleased for our customers that the RMT has suspended the planned strike action for 22nd February and 9th and 16th March to allow talks to take place next week.

“This means that we will now operate a normal service this Friday.”

He added: “We are looking forward to further constructive discussions with the RMT and are hopeful that by building on this breakthrough, we can see an end to this industrial action and together build a better railway for our customers.”

Until the latest move, the RMT said the sticking point was that although SWR had promised to “roster” a guard on every train, it did not guarantee cover if someone calls in sick, for example.