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From The Socialist newspaper, 31 August 2016
Southern strike
Southern Railway RMT pickets at Victoria in London, June 2016, photo Rob Williams (Click to enlarge)
"The Govia Thameslink franchise is in meltdown and not fit for purpose. Not content with axing catering services, closing ticket offices and attacking the role of their guards, they now want to threaten 130 station jobs and compromise the safety of both their passengers and staff alike," said RMT general secretary Mick Cash in announcing the latest RMT strike on the Govia Thameslink franchise. Station staff will strike for 24-hours on 7 September following a 70% yes vote in favour of action over proposed reorganisation of station staff. Govia Thameslink want to close ticket offices, or cut them to morning peak only, at 83 stations from as far afield as Kings Lynn and Bognor Regis. As a means of doing this they plan to introduce a new multi-functional role of 'station host' which RMT estimates will result in a cut of at least 130 jobs.
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In The Socialist 31 August 2016:
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