Southern train drivers to take strike action
Train drivers who work for the company that serves Shepherd's Bush Overground station, will be going on strike over the festive season in a dispute over holiday pay.
ASLEF have announced that their members will be taking industrial action "due to the company failing to recognise Monday, 28th December 2009 as a Bank Holiday".
The drivers will be striking between 00:01 hours and 23.59 hours on 28th December 2009.
Southern say they are "extremely disappointed" that ASLEF has called for strike action.
"ASLEF has chosen industrial action over negotiation in a dispute over Christmas working arrangements. We appeal to them to come back to the table and help find a solution for the sake of our staff (their members) and you," Southern said in a statement.
"The union’s action is particularly frustrating as we are complying fully with the well established terms and conditions agreed with the union. These terms ensure that everyone gets two bank holidays over Christmas, in line with the norm for the vast majority of UK workers. For traincrew, whose working week runs from Monday to Saturday, these two days will be Friday, Dec 25 and Saturday, Dec 26. ASLEF, however, is demanding that Monday, Dec 28 (a substitute bank holiday for those who do not have Saturday as part of their working week) to be treated as a third bank holiday for their members in order to attract increased rates of pay," the statement said.
Southern say they are continuing to work towards a "reasonable solution" to the dispute.
15 December 2009