Southern rail strike cut from six days to three by union ASLEF

A six-day strike on Southern rail next week has been cut to three days but there will be more walkouts later this month in the dispute over driver-only trains.

Drivers in the ASLEF union were due to walk out from Monday, which would have brought services to a halt for the whole week.

But the union has announced that strikes will now be held on 10, 11 and 13 January - not on other days next week.

There will be further strikes on 24, 25 and 27 January, said ASLEF.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the move not to have a full week of strikes next week did not mean the union was softening its stance on the dispute.

He said the union had reduced next week's action out of consideration for how long the dispute will last and due to concerns from the public about the effects of a week-long walkout.

Mr Whelan added that ASLEF members continued to have safety concerns about driver-only trains, claiming the union had raised issues which had been ignored.

He said: "We are taking a longer-term view of this trade dispute.

"The company has not been prepared to move - it is simply going through the motions, turning up at ACAS, as it did yesterday, and telling us that it intends to impose driver-only operation.

"We remain committed to a negotiated settlement, as was reached with ScotRail, but it is difficult to negotiate with people who are not prepared to be flexible.

"We still believe a deal can be done but we are, at the moment, a long way from that position.

"It is time for the company to come up with a genuine offer rather than carry on posturing."

Passengers using Southern have endured months of disruption because of the strikes, staff shortages and other problems.

An overtime ban by ASLEF members has led to services being cancelled or delayed every day.

As well as ASLEF, Southern is embroiled in a dispute with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union over changes to the role of conductors, which has also triggered a series of strikes.

Southern said none of its train services will run during next week's walkout.

It is putting in place a number of alternative measures to try to help commuters who have essential travel needs.

The company is organising 200 coaches or buses each day to provide road links for essential travel from nine Southern stations into nearby neighbouring networks where they can connect with other train services.

Responding to ASLEF's announcement to reduce strike days next week, the company accused the union of putting its members before passengers.

A spokesperson said: "This is a cynical ploy to minimise the impact on ASLEF's drivers' pay packets and maximises misery, disruption and hardship for passengers."