Strike action threat at South Western Railway in row over working arrangements

15 March 2024 , 12:37

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A sign for South Western Railway offices in Plymouth

A rail union has warned that South Western Railway workers could take industrial action because of a dispute about work times for control room staff.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) said its members at South Western Railway (SWR) could take strike action over the new work times if an agreement is not reached.

Gareth Theobald, who works for TSSA at SWR, said: "This isn't merely a shift in working patterns, it's a stark deviation from well-established norms and we urge SWR to return to the negotiating table without delay to resolve this issue. It's vital that the company understand the seriousness of the situation.

He warned: "We want to avoid industrial action and ensure the continued provision of rail services to the public. However, SWR should be in no doubt that if staff need to take action, then trains will come to a stop."

Lawrence Matheson