Letter from Charles Horton, CEO regarding ASLEF ballot result which saw Southern drivers vote not to approve the agreement made between GTR and the ASLEF leadership to try and resolve the dispute over the extension of driver controlled operation on the Southern network:
Dear stakeholder,
Good afternoon,
We have now had confirmation that Southern drivers have voted not to approve the agreement made between ourselves and the ASLEF leadership to try and resolve the dispute over the extension of driver controlled operation on the Southern network.
We are saddened and hugely disappointed, as will be our passengers, with today’s decision by drivers, particularly as the agreement carried the full support and recommendation of the ASLEF leadership. We now need to understand the issues which led to this outcome and we’ll be seeking to meet with the union as soon as possible to see how we can agree a way forward.
I appreciate this is a frustrating outcome and would emphasise our determination to continue to seek to reach agreement with the unions and with our staff on our modernisation programme.
Earlier this week we met with the RMT in a further attempt to resolve their dispute with us and we were saddened that it ended prematurely. Unfortunately the RMT remains in dispute with us and has called further strike action for Wednesday 22 February. We plan to run as many services as possible on that day, and will provide a further update at the start of next week on our service plans.
Yours sincerely,
Charles Horton Chief Executive Officer