South Western Railway (SWR) has warned passengers they face ‘severe disruption’ as unions prepare for their next strikes.
More than 2,100 SWR members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) unions will take part in Industrial action on Saturday, October 1.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said the union will continue to negotiate “in good faith” but told employers and government that the industrial campaign will continue “for as long as it takes.”
Both unions have issues with rail companies over plans to revamp the network, so the dispute is not just about pay, but working conditions and jobs.
South Western Railway says customers should only travel if “absolutely necessary” on October 1 and 2, and to expect significant disruption.
SWR will run a severely reduced service on the Saturday between 7.15am and 6.30pm, however, it warned that “significant parts” of the network will be closed entirely – including all stations between Windsor and Feltham.
The reduced timetable comprises two trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Feltham, two semi-fast trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Basingstoke, four trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Woking, and two fast trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Southampton Central – trains will not stop at all stations on these routes.
The following day will also be significantly impacted by the strike as the first trains will start much later than usual.
SWR’s Performance and Planning Director, Steve Tyler, apologised for the disruption and advised customers who needed to travel to do so “by other means”.
“Large parts of our network will be closed on the strike day and there will be a late start up on the morning after. Those who must travel are urged to carefully check the times of first and last trains and avoid them if possible as they are likely to be very busy,” he said.
“We are grateful to our customers for their continued cooperation, patience, and understanding as the rail industry works to bring this damaging nationwide strike action to an end,” he added.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was encouraging that the new Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP had met with the union.
“We welcome this more positive approach from the government to engage with us as a first step to finding a suitable settlement,” he said.
“However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.
“We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes.”
Additional reporting: Phil Creighton
