Members of the RMT union have warned of strike action across multiple UK rail carriers on November 8 and 9 as part of a dispute over alleged driver-only trains.
The union has called for members on Southern, Greater Anglia, South Western and Island Line to not book shifts from 0001 on Wednesday November 8 through to 2359 on Thursday November 9. Meanwhile, the same instructions have been given for members on Northern and Merseyrail between 0001 and 2359 on November 8.
Northern’s website is warning passengers that there may be some disruption, saying it normally operates around 40 to 50 per cent of its usual services between 0700 and 1900 on strike days. Meanwhile, an alert on Southern’s site says the operator will do “everything it can” to minimise disruption and expects to run a normal service on most routes.
South Western and Merseyrail both say they are working on a contingency timetable and will publish it once it’s ready. Greater Anglia is also putting together alternative plans, but says it intends to run a full service.
If the strike action goes ahead, passengers are advised to check with their carrier before travelling.
The latest round of strikes are related to the introduction of driver-only trains, with the RMT saying taking conductors and guards off trains puts both jobs and passenger safety at risk.