PM Theresa May has condemned the 5 day rail strike on Southern Rail. A spokesman for No10. said the strike, the longest for by rail union for 50 years was causing “misery” for thousands of commuters who could face more disruption as union bosses declare ‘war’ on train companies.
With transport secretary Chris Grayling said to be personally in charge of the crisis, sources in Whitehall say misniters are looking at “all options” to ensure there would not be a repeat of the current strike. Ministers are said to be discussing the possibility of new laws allowing them to take control of rail companies who fail to perform or to resolve disputes.
The strike action which led to Southern Rail cancelling hundreds of rail services is affecting some 300,000 commuters each day in over the row about the future role of its conductors on trains services. The No10 spokesman said “ We are deeply disappointed that union bosses are overlooking the impact that they are having on the public.”