South Western Railway – Industrial Action Announced
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union has announced that strikes will take place on Tuesday 21st, Thursday 23rd and Saturday 25th June 2022. Strikes will also be taking place on most other Train Operating Companies and at Network Rail on these dates. Rail services will be significantly affected between the 21st and 25th June as a result.
Matthew Evans (Senior Stakeholder and Public Affairs Manager) from South Wester Railway stated:
“We know many of our customers are worried about this announcement and wanted to share with you the press release we are issuing today (which you can find below). This messaging will also appear on our website, in posters and displays at our stations, and in announcements made across our network. https://www.southwesternrailway.com/industrial-action“
“If you have any questions about the potential impact of these strikes, please feel free to contact us via stakeholders@swrailway.com so that we can coordinate our responses and keep a record of enquiries.”
SWR response to RMT industrial action dates
- Industrial action to take place on Tuesday 21st, Thursday 23rd and Saturday 25th June 2022
- Customers warned to expect severe disruption and change plans if they can
- Significantly reduced service levels to be shared closer to the date
Following the announcement of industrial action dates by the RMT union, South Western Railway services will be significantly affected between Tuesday 21st and Saturday 25th June 2022.
SWR is working closely with Network Rail and other train operators to finalise a significantly reduced timetable for those dates, but is warning customers to expect severe disruption on days impacted by industrial action.
With Network Rail signallers and more than 2,100 SWR RMT members taking industrial action, it is likely that significant parts of the South Western Railway network will be unavailable for travel on those dates. Where routes are open, it is likely that far fewer trains will run than normal.
As a result, customers are urged to change their travel dates if they can and, for those who have to travel on those dates, to begin looking for alternative methods of transport.
Teams are also working to update hospitals, schools, airports and businesses across the network on what this will mean for them.
Claire Mann, Managing Director of South Western Railway, commented:
“I understand that the announcement of upcoming industrial action will worry many of our customers, particularly against the backdrop of significant cost of living pressures.
“We are carefully finalising contingency plans, but I am afraid this action will mean that many customers will be unable to travel by rail.
“If customers can change their date of travel, or make alternative arrangements, I urge them to begin making those arrangements as soon as possible.
“I appreciate how challenging this may be and would like to thank customers for their patience as the rail industry responds to this unprecedented industrial action.”
SWR will publish details of its reduced timetable when finalised and customers should check the website for latest updates: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/industrial-action.
Note: The industrial action will not affect Island Line services on the Isle of Wight.