Southern Railway strike could end today, union chief says

Exclusive: The walkout has caused widespread chaos for commuters

The Southern rail strike could end today, The Independent has been told.

Half-way through the longest rail strike in 50 years, the RMT general secretary, Mick Cash has exclusively told The Independent that his union is prepared to suspend the last two days of the strike on Thursday and Friday if the employers – Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) – will agree to further talks.

He said: "We’re prepared to suspend the industrial action for Thursday and Friday if GTR agree to fresh Acas talks without pre-conditions.

"Passengers and the public are sick and tired of the war of words between us and the company. All they want us to do is get around the table and sort the problems out.

“The ball’s now in GTR’s court, and I hope they don’t mess it up.”

The strike on Southern Railway is over the introduction of new trains and proposals for the drivers, rather than guards, to operate the doors.

Train services to south London, Surrey and Sussex have been severely disrupted with only around half of the full timetable running.

Southern has said it will not agree to further talks unless the union is willing to discuss the train operator's reform plans.

The main sticking point is contained in a letter from the train operator's human resources director, Andy Bindon, to the RMT's general secretary: "Southern will propose a list of exceptional circumstances, to be agreed with RMT, whereby a train can continue in service without a second member of on board staff, for the benefit of customers."

The union insists that, for safety reasons, all trains should have a member of staff in addition to the driver.