Dear stakeholder
I am writing to advise you of the severe and significant disruption we anticipate to services on Southern and Gatwick Express every day from next Tuesday, as a consequence of industrial action from ASLEF and the RMT.
Tuesday sees the start of a ban on all non-contractual working on the part of ASLEF, and the start of a three day strike by conductors. On 13 December, drivers will begin the first wave of nine days of strike action planned. As you will be aware, we have applied to the High Court to stop the ASLEF strikes; the hearing is likely to take place next week.
We are advising that ASLEF’s continuous drivers’ overtime ban from 6 December will severely affect services every day. On RMT strike days this will result in only around 50% of the full timetable being able to operate.
If the ASLEF strikes go ahead, on these days no Southern services will operate, with only a limited service on Gatwick Express and the usual Thameslink services to Three Bridges and Brighton.
In summary:
From Tuesday 6 December until further notice:
- West London Line (Milton Keynes Central – East Croydon) services are all cancelled
- London Bridge - Beckenham Junction services are all cancelled
- Brighton - Seaford services are all cancelled - buses will operate Lewes – Seaford
- Other south London metro services will be reduced
Further details will be available on our website at southernrailway.com/strike
When drivers’ strikes are due to take place (first planned date is 13 December):
- No Southern service
- Gatwick Express every 30 minutes Victoria - Gatwick
- Thameslink will operate normally but be exceptionally busy
- Crowd control arrangements will be in place at stations that have a service
This wholly unnecessary strike action will have a severe impact, and customers are advised to make alternative arrangements if they can, and if they don’t have to travel they shouldn’t. If the drivers’ strikes go ahead, there will be no services on Southern and customers should not attempt to travel.
We’re doing everything we can to stop the drivers’ strike and that’s why we a seeking an injunction in the High Court next week. This industrial action is a clearly co-ordinated and cynical manoeuvre by the unions to bring yet further travel misery to passengers. I would ask you to join me in calling on the unions to call off their planned action immediately.
Yours sincerely,
Charles Horton Chief Executive Officer