Aslef, the UK’s biggest train drivers’ union has suspended a strike ballot it had started on Friday 4 November, citing ‘technical hitches.” The union had asked its members if they wanted to go on strike over driver-only trains. The ballot result was due in two weeks, raising fears of strikes at the end of the month.
A spokesman for the union said there would be a re-issue of the ballot papers to almost 1,000 drivers as it was "important to give members an opportunity to air their frustrations."
"We'll address the technical issues tomorrow and then they'll go out," the spokesman added, though a specific date is yet to be set for the fresh ballot. "We want to make sure we get everything right," he added.
Angie Doll, Southern's passenger services director, lauded the decision by Aslef saying: "We're pleased that Aslef has called off this ballot. This welcome development gives us the time and opportunity to sit down with union officials to resolve their dispute.”
RMT is also balloting its drivers for strikes. The latest 48-hour walkout ended Saturday night and RMT has further stoppages planned for later this month, early December and over the New Year.
GTR, Southern’s parent company, has formally revoked its offer to settle the dispute with the RMT union. The offer has been on the table for three months and GTR had warned the union that it would be revoked if they proceeded with any further strike action.
Southern said 96 per cent of conductors had signed up to the new on-board supervisor (OBS) role and will take it up in January. With this change, the operation of closing doors will move to the driver. They had until 4 November to respond to Southern's deadline for agreeing to transfer to the new job.
Furthermore, 222 people will retain their roles as conductors on certain Southern services. The train company also plans to recruit 100 more people to take up OBS roles across Southern and Gatwick Express services.