TSSA ballots South Western Railway members for strike action

TSSA has served notice today (Thursday) to ballot hundreds of staff for strike action and action short of strike at train operator South Western Railway (SWR) in a dispute over pay, conditions and job security.

The ballot relates to the escalating dispute across the railway. Notice to ballot was given after the company informed TSSA that they have no mandate from the Department for Transport (DfT) to make any offer which would address the concerns raised in the dispute.

TSSA represents members working on stations, on-board trains, admin staff, supervisors, managers and controllers.

TSSA is demanding a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies for 2022, no unagreed changes to terms and conditions, and a pay increase which reflects the rising cost of living.

Ballot papers are set to be dispatched Thursday 18 August with the ballot closing on 8 September 2022. Members are being asked to cast two votes: one on strike action, another on action short of strike.

TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Yet again we find ourselves in this position because South Western have their hands tied by Grant Shapps and this foolish Tory government.

“This means our members' pay, job security, terms and conditions are under threat for every day of inaction. SWR staff have not seen a pay rise for over two years and are only asking for some basic fair treatment in the face of a cost-of-living-crisis.

“Our members are sick and tired of being taken for granted after being on the frontline during the pandemic. Ministers must get a grip of the situation and sanction a deal which meets our aspirations if industrial action is to be avoided.”