Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), parent company of Southern Railway, and ASLEF today announced they have agreed new terms to settle their dispute.
The agreement will now be put to ASLEF members in Southern in a referendum, with a recommendation from the union’s Executive to accept. Subject to securing the support of ASLEF members, the dispute between the union and Southern will be over.
Details of the revised agreement have not yet been made public.
Tim Loughton MP said:
"This is very encouraging, however it is not a done deal yet and we wait with baited breath to see whether ASLEF's members finally accept the deal on the table and bring an end to this damaging dispute. We can debate at length whether or not this strike was based on fabricated grievances but what is important now is that hard pressed commuters are put front and centre - as they always should be - and this dispute is brought to a swift end."
Mick Whelan, General Secretary of ASLEF, said:
“ASLEF members now have the opportunity to decide on the new terms of the agreed resolution with GTR Southern. This agreement has the full support of the negotiating team and the executive committee, and offers solutions to our concerns, as well as restoring the confidence of all parties, and the travelling public”.
GTR Director Andy Bindon said:
“We’ve had constructive talks with ASLEF and we’re pleased we’ve been able to secure a recommended deal, subject to approval from its members, to end their dispute. It’s been an extraordinarily difficult period for passengers, staff and the regional economy and we are glad we’ve found a way to move forward together. We look forward to restoring good industrial relations with ASLEF”.
The result of the referendum will be on 3 April. Until then, GTR and ASLEF intend to make no further statements.