May I start by thanking various respondents for their feedback following my last update which enabled me to bring concerns to the attention of GTR (including for example in respect of the classification of overcrowded trains).
Clearly since then we have had good news. ASLEF and RMT have suspended all industrial action on Southern (this includes the current ASLEF overtime ban and projected August strikes). Southern will revert to operating their normal timetable from midnight tonight ie the full weekday timetable will be reintroduced from Monday 24 July.
Prior to the announcement I met, this week, alongside other MPs, the General Secretary of ASLEF, Mick Whelan and separately the Chief Executive of Southern, Charles Horton.
Throughout the 18 month dispute the Secretary of State for Transport has offered to meet the Unions provided that they suspend their industrial action. I am delighted that they have done so and that they are now meeting.
I sincerely hope that a lasting resolution can be secured between the Operator and the Unions. The Government is I know determined to help facilitate such an outcome.
It is worth remembering that twice in the last year ASLEF's leadership has recommended agreed proposals to its members that were not supported (albeit in the second case very narrowly) in the relevant ballots. I have to believe therefore that there is a basis of an agreement. The trains that are subject to the "second person" dispute currently only account for 2.75 per cent of trains that previously operated with a guard and this number is being reduced through additional GTR recruitment. Likewise on pay, while ASLEF's leadership and members have rejected the proposal for drivers on some lines, the same proposal has been accepted it in respect of ASLEF members on the Thameslink line.
Whilst meeting with ASLEF was helpful in better understanding their position I do not think, given what I heard, it will be easy to secure a lasting deal.
However I do think the groundwork has been put in place to achieve one, given sufficient goodwill.
I spent considerable time with GTR discussing contingency plans had the ASLEF strike proceeded, which happily now may not be relevant.
Separately I am pleased that Southern's driver recruitment and training programme is proving successful and that they are being more realistic in the number of trained drivers they are likely to lose through individuals choosing, post training, to pursue their career on the network in other, less costly, parts of the country. The impact of the additional driver recruitment will be to reduce Southern's reliance on overtime: a goal that is shared by the Transport Department, GTR and the Unions!
Let us hope that the outcome of the talks are positive.