South Western Railway strike: Christmas train chaos as RMT union announces walkout on 22 December

RMT members will stage a 24-hour walkout on one of the busiest days for Christmas shopping

South Western workers picket outside Waterloo Station (Rex Features)

Workers on South Western Railway will hold a one-day strike on 22 December in the long-running dispute over guards on trains, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced.

The 24-hour walkout, set to be held on the Saturday before Christmas, is expected to cause disruption to thousands as people travel home for the festive break or fit in last-minute Christmas shopping.

The industrial action is part of an ongoing dispute regarding the future of guards on trains, which has seen numerous strikes disrupt travel this year, including a five-day walkout in October.

The RMT maintains that guards are essential in ensuring passenger safety and in case of emergencies such as derailment, evacuation, fires and driver incapacity. Guards can also offer advice and assistance to passengers and help disabled passengers to embark and disembark.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “South Western Railway continues to refuse to resolving this dispute, which is about safety, security and access while the company look to open up a loophole that would allow them to run driver-only services at their discretion.

“Recent figures have shown a shocking a surge in violence on our railways. It is frankly appalling that South Western Railway are looking for a green light to throw the guard off their trains as and when they see fit in the name of profit.

“SWR might think it’s acceptable to play fast and loose with passenger safety, security and access but RMT members, who have stood firm throughout this dispute despite appalling harassment from the company, will not accept a dilution of the safety regime on the railway.

“There’s a simple solution to this dispute and it means SWR stop playing with words and negotiate the guard guarantee that reflects the safety values of the agreements RMT has pinned down in other parts of the rail industry.“

A South Western Rail spokesperson told The Independent:​ “By targeting the last Saturday before Christmas when people are trying to travel to be with family and friends the RMT is ensuring the maximum misery is inflicted at what should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment.

“This action is totally unnecessary. We have guaranteed to roster a guard on every train, and we need more, not fewer guards – 70 more by May 2019 – and we have an opportunity with the introduction of the new suburban trains to operate these trains differently to maximise the customer benefits.

“The RMT is scaremongering by using crime in its statement. The number of crimes on the SWR network has reduced by nearly 6 per cent since April. SWR’s team of 35 Rail Community Officers work on trains and at stations to prevent and detect crimes. They work closely with BTP officers to help reduce incidents on the network, engaging with customers and highlighting suspicious activity.

“Should this action go ahead, we will do everything we can to provide the best service possible for our customers.”

Northern Rail RMT members are striking every Saturday for the rest of the year in the same dispute.