Date of Southern Rail Strike Brought Forward

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24 hour walkout will now take place on May 18

Southern Railway has announced that the date of the next 24 hour strike planned by the RMT rail union has been changed.

Southern says: " We have been informed by the RMT that they have once again changed the date of the proposed strike to Wednesday 18 May.

" In general we intend to operate the same service as was originally planned for Friday 20 May, but please continue to check the website as this is still subject to confirmation.

" For further information on how your journey may be impacted please visit our RMT strike customer advice page, this includes more information about the times of trains, ticket acceptance and alternatives and compensation and refunds.

" Non-folding cycles will not be allowed on Southern, Gatwick Express or Thameslink services (South of Blackfriars) on these dates."

The RMT meanwhile says the union executive has agreed to switch the strike action and is instructing guards members to take strike action by not working any shifts that book on between 00.01am and 11.59pm on Wednesday 18 May.

RMTsays it has switched the date of the action in response to the threatening and abusive stance the company is adopting towards union members using their basic human right to strike in defence of rail safety. Those threats include setting a deadline of the 20th May for staff to sign up to the company plans regardless of the impact on jobs, working conditions and safety.

It adds that a fresh wave of campaigning, targeted at building on public support for RMT’s fight with Southern over the future of safe staffing levels and safe train operation, is stepping up a gear as the union moves the dispute forwards.

You can read the statement in full here.

Services affected by this industrial action include Southern's trains running between Clapham Junction and Milton Keynes, taking in Imperial Wharf, West Brompton, Olympia and Shepherd's Bush, alongside the London Overground service.

The service normally runs three or four trains during rush hours and one per hour at other times and continues from Shepherd's Bush to Wembley Central, Harrow and Wealdstone then on to Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central.

May 6, 2016