Three rail franchises in the UK are set to have their services disrupted by a new series of strikes in early September
The RMT union has called for its members to take industrial action on Southern Railway, Northern and Merseyrail in the long-running row about driver-only-operated trains.
RMT members working for Southern and Arriva Rail North, which operates the Northern brand, are due to walk out on both Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4.
Meanwhile Merseyrail staff are scheduled to walk out on September 1, 3 and 4.
The new strikes were called after the disputes were discussed at a meeting of the RMT’s national executive committee (NEC).
Mick Cash, RMT’s general secretary, said of the dispute with Southern: “RMT is bitterly disappointed that Southern Rail have rejected our call for round table discussions involving all parties with an interest in resolving this dispute.
“RMT has a clear plan for resolving this dispute but that requires round table talks now to push forwards. This fiasco cannot be allowed to drag on any longer. The union stands ready and waiting for genuine and meaningful talks with all parties.”
Cash has also called on the new operators of the South Western Railway franchise - First Group and Hong Kong-based MTR - to "honour" a commitment made by the previous fanchise holder to maintain guards on trains. First Group and MTR took over the franchise on Sunday (August 20).
“As this new franchise begins we are calling for SWT’s Chinese owners to honour the promise to passengers that they will have a guard on every one of their trains to keep passenger safe and informed," added Cash.
“We are not asking for anything new just simply what passengers had already been promised. We hope that SWT's owners can unequivocally say there will continue to be a guard on every one of their trains in line with the promise made to passengers.”