Two rail unions have suspended industrial action on Southern rail after accepting an invitation to meet transport secretary Chris Grayling for talks.
Drivers union ASLEF said it would suspend its planned industrial action including its current overtime ban with immediate effect.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling
General secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘ASLEF is committed to resolving matters as soon as possible while safeguarding the interests of our members, and the safety of passengers particularly those with disabilities. We hope talks can start as soon as possible and, ideally, within the week.’
The RMT said it was suspending the industrial action by both guards and drivers planned for early next month following the offer of talks from Mr Grayling, which set this condition.
A Government-commissioned report by former Virgin Rail boss Chris Gibb, published last month, said that Mr Grayling was ‘already determining the strategic direction of this dispute’.
A spokesman for GTR, which runs Southern services, said: ‘We are delighted on behalf of our passengers. We truly hope that a resolution can be found once and for all.’
The company said an amended timetable in put in place to reflect the overtime ban would continue until the end of the week as rosters have already been issued.
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