Southern Rail staff to go on strike again in long-running row over guards
Commuters face fresh travel chaos as Southern workers prepare to walk out for the fifth time this year
WORKERS at Southern Railway are to stage a fresh 48-hour strike in the long-running row over the role of guards.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced its members will walk out on September 7 and 8, causing fresh travel chaos for beleaguered passengers.
Southern's services have been disrupted for months because of industrial action and staff shortages, blamed by the company on high levels of sickness absence.
Workers have taken several bouts of industrial action in recent weeks and mounted picket lines at stations across Southern's network.
Commuters and other passengers have also staged demonstrations to protest at the level of services.
Changes to the role of guards were imposed from Sunday, transferring responsibility for closing doors to drivers.
Earlier this month the hard-left president of the RMT union behind the crippling rail strikes was tracked down by The Sun on Sunday hiding out at a luxury apartment in Turkey.
Sean Hoyle and wife Donna, were enjoying a two-week break with their two daughters at the seaside resort of Didim, where he owns the plush Aegean Heights pad with other relatives.
Flats in the gated complex, which has a pool and a restaurant, can be rented for more than £500 a week.
Last year Mr Hoyle received expenses of £47,483 in his union role on top of his salary.
He could be seen relaxing by the pool but refused to comment when approached by The Sun on Sunday.