SOUTHERN services were widely disrupted as conductors belonging to the RMT staged their third one-day strike on 18 May in the dispute over driver-only operation.
The RMT has claimed that safety is put at risk by DOO, and is opposing Southern's plans to replace conductors on many trains by 'on-board supervisors', who would deal with revenue protection and assist passengers, but take no part in operating the train. Some conventional conductors will remain, and they will continue to open and close the doors on their trains and give the starting signal. Staff who want to be considered for one of these jobs have been given until Friday to put their names forward.
Southern's owner Govia said DOO is already widely and safely used on other services, including its Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern networks.
The strike had a 'significant effect', with no trains running on many lines and only a limited service elsewhere between approximately 07.30 and 18.00.
Other operators' trains were very busy. When conductors walked out for two days last month, Clapham Junction had to be closed for a time on the second day because of overcrowding.
Meanwhile, the RMT staged a protest opposing DOO outside the QEII conference centre in Westminster, where the Department for Transport was holding a Rail Industry Day.