MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UK National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced plans on Tuesday to stage a strike on September 7-8 in a long-lasting dispute over the role of train conductors.
"Workers at Southern Rail are to stage a 48 hour strike on September 7 and 8 in the long-running row over the role of guards," the union wrote on its official page on Twitter.
Workers at Southern Rail are to stage a 48 hour strike on September 7 and 8 in the long-running row over the role of guards — @RMTunion
— Alan Jones (@AlanJonesPA) August 23, 2016
The dispute arose after the Southern Railway's operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) announced plans to remove conductors from its trains.
Conductors are currently responsible for passenger health and safety, which includes opening and closing carriage doors to ensure everyone is safely on board, as well as providing any necessary assistance during the journey and dealing with emergency issues, such as fires, accidents or collisions.
The changes proposed by the GTR aim to scrap the conductor role and make train drivers responsible for all on-board services.