
26 October 2016
RMT Press Office:
RMT to ballot Southern drivers over extension of Driver Only Operation.
Rail union RMT confirmed this morning that it is balloting drivers on Southern Rail for both strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over the extension of Driver Only Operation on Southern routes.
The ballot will open on the 4th November and close on the 18th November – mirroring the ballot timetable of sister rail union ASLEF.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“Drivers on Southern Rail will find themselves dangerously exposed if the company decide to plough ahead with their ill-conceived and dangerous plans for a wholesale extension of Driver Only Operation on their routes.
“Drivers will be placed in an impossible position trying to monitor despatch from overcrowded platforms while they should be concentrating on the job of driving the train. The consequences for safety at the critical platform/train Interface are horrendous.
“The union will be calling for a massive YES vote as we step up the pressure on GTR/Southern to abandon their high-risk plans.”
Ends