TSSA ballots for strike action at Govia Thameslink Railway

Rail union TSSA is to ballot hundreds of members at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) over possible industrial action, including strikes, in an escalation of the ongoing national rail dispute about pay job security and conditions.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates the Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern, and Gatwick Express franchises in and around London. It runs services to Cambridge, Bedford, Brighton and the South Coast and is a vital commuter artery for the capital.

The company describes itself as ‘the UK’s largest railway operator'.

TSSA members at GTR are found in a multitude of roles including platform staff, ticket office staff, train crew, engineers, control, administrative staff and management. GTR lines run from Central London to Sussex including; London Victoria Station, Three Bridges ROC, Brighton Station and Gatwick Airport Station.

Commenting, TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, said: “This is a clear signal to GTR that our members are not willing to be pushed around in the face of an escalating Tory cost of living crisis and a government which wants to slash jobs on the railways.

“I want to encourage our members to vote yes both to strike action and action short of a strike because we know we are in a fight for the future of our railways.

“We have already seen a strong set of ballot results elsewhere in rail companies our union represents and have strike action in the pipeline later this month.

“Given we have already seen a series of walkouts by our brilliant members Ministers and bosses at GTR would do well to get real and address our concerns now, so that further disruption does not take place.

“If not, there is likely to be crippling action on one of the main train networks in and out of London and beyond in the near future.”

 ENDS

Notes to editors 

*TSSA GTR Ballot timetable

Ballot opens: Thursday 15th September
Ballot closes: Thursday 6th October at 12:00 (noon)

*TSSA is seeking:

• A pay rise which meets the rising cost of living
• A no compulsory redundancy agreement for 2022
• No un-agreed changes to terms and conditions

*TSSA strike dates

TSSA members will take strike action at Avanti West Coast from 00:01 to 23:59 on Thursday 15 September and Saturday 17 September.

* TSSA members took strike action on 18 and 20 August in Network Rail General Grades (Bands 5-8) and Controllers, Avanti West Coast, c2c, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, LNER and Southeastern.  Two weeks ago TSSA members at TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains voted overwhelmingly for strike action. 

*TSSA is an independent trade union for the transport and travel industries. We have thousands of members right across the UK and Ireland, working for the railways and associated companies, as well as ferries, bus services and the travel trade.