The Southern Rail dispute will continue as union members rejected a deal that would have ended their dispute with the rail operator.
Members of Aslef, the drivers’ union, rejected a deal with Govia Thameslink Railway, the company which operates Southern Rail in a referendum proposed by union bosses.
Members voted by a margin of 54.1% to 45.9% on a turnout of 72.7% to reject a deal struck in recent negotiations brokered by the TUC.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We understand and support the decision arrived at democratically by our members and will now work to deliver a resolution in line with their expectations.”
The dispute had focussed on the changing role of guards on the trains – under Southern’s proposals drivers would be responsible for opening and closing train doors.
Yesterday the RMT, the union representing rail guards in the dispute, announced a fresh 24 hour walkout on February 22.
Featured image courtesy of Joshua Brown, with thanks.
