Southern Rail: Latest talks with RMT adjourned

Image source, PA

Image caption, The dispute has been ongoing for more than a year

Talks between Southern rail and the RMT union aimed at resolving the year-long dispute have been adjourned.

Both sides last met in April but failed to reach an agreement and so restarted negotiations.

The row over parent firm Govia Thameslink's (GTR) plans to introduce driver-only-operated (DOO) trains has caused misery for travellers.

The talks began earlier and now both sides have parted to "consider their positions".

A GTR spokeswoman could not confirm if or when talks would resume.

She said: "We have had further talks today. Both parties have adjourned to consider their respective positions."

Passenger group Brighton Line Commuters said it welcomed the new talks, but was "sceptical" anything would be resolved.

Shelley Atlas, who runs the group, added: "This should have been sorted out many months ago. People have got used to the situation, and many have made other arrangements to get to and from work now. But it's really not acceptable, or satisfactory.

"People are of course sceptical, but this has to be sorted at some point."

The RMT has held 31 days of strike action over the proposed changes so far.

Members of drivers' union Aslef - also involved in a row with Southern over the same issue - rejected a deal with the train operator in February, and again in April.