27 days of strikes on SWR underway

Buses replace trains between Exeter St David's and Honiton.

Members of the RMT union who work on the SWR are walking out for 27 days from today (Monday 2nd December,) until New Year's Day.

It is the longest stretch of action against a major rail operator in living memory.

The rail firm says only around half of services will run, including those to and from Waterloo, the country's busiest railway station. Buses are replacing trains between Exeter St David's and Honiton, with a reduced service on the rest of the network. 

The strike will not take place on the day of the 12 December general election and as usual there will be no trains on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Early on Monday morning, SWR said in a statement on Twitter: "RMT strike starts today and we will be running an amended timetable until the New Year. Peak services will be busier than normal and there may be queues at stations so please plan your journey in advance. Visit http://southwesternrailway.com/strike for the latest information."

Talks between the two sides collapsed last week, with the union and company blaming each other.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: "RMT is angry and frustrated that a set of proposals that would have guaranteed the safety critical role of the guard at the point of despatch, and which would have cost the company absolutely nothing, have been kicked back in our faces.

"There is no rational explanation for the company position and we can only assume that either they or their paymasters in Government want this strike action to go ahead for politically motivated purposes.

"Our action goes ahead in defence of passenger safety and accessibility, and the blame for that lies wholly with SWR and their wrecking strategy.

"The union remains available for talks and we have a deal to solve this dispute... The company should grab it with both hands."

An SWR spokesman said: "We have done everything we can and more to meet the RMT's outdated demands with our promise of a guard on every train and a safety critical role for that guard.

"What we are not prepared to compromise on is the much-needed modernisation of the service with improved performance, safety and customer service that our new fleet of modern suburban trains will vitally deliver for customers.

"Throughout negotiations we have tried repeatedly to find ways to meet the RMT's aspirations.

"However, every time we find a way forward on one point the union has moved the goalposts by changing its position."

Check details of your journey here.