Conductors on Southern Rail services are likely to strike for two days next week in protest at the extension of driver only operation (DOO) that the union says threatens jobs and safety.

Southern Rail has announced plans to turn conductor roles into on board supervisor roles, which they say "would focus on helping passengers with service information, checking tickets and offering assistance".

The role would no longer require the operation of the train doors, a responsibility which would pass to the driver, which is how 60 per cent of Southern services operate, according to the rail company. 

Southern claim the changes mean the supervisors would be more visible to passengers and could be redeployed dependent on need. 

A Southern spokesman said: "We have given our staff who would be affected by these changes a commitment that there will be no compulsory job losses, nor any loss of salary from these changes.

"Our plan is to introduce the role of on board supervisor from the end of July 2016, with an increased focus on customer services."

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is pushing the rail company to continue having conductors on board, as it believes it is safer. 

They also want pledges there will be no conductor redundancies and a reversal from Southern on the changes. 

Members were balloted last week and 321 of 393 of those who voted chose to take strike action. 

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT, supported by our ASLEF colleagues, is wholly opposed to the attack on the safety-critical conductor grades and the threat of Driver Only Operation.

"Our members on Southern GTR have given loyal and professional service to the company and are being rewarded by being forced into a new grade, having their role and responsibility reduced and their hard earned terms and conditions attacked.

"The anger at the threat to RMT members jobs, their role and the safety of Southern services is reflected in this massive vote for action which will now be considered by our executive.

"RMT's demands could not be clearer and the union remains available for meaningful talks."

The strike action is planned for Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27. 

The Southern website states: "This will have a significant effect on Southern services on the whole of the days affected, with no service on many routes and only a limited service between approximately 07.30am and 6.00pm on others."

Surrey Comet:

Lines with no service include: 

  • Clapham Junction to Milton Keynes via Kensington Olympia
  • Dorking to Horsham

Lines with limited services between 7.30am and 6.30pm include: 

  • London Bridge - Norwood Junction - East Croydon - Sanderstead - Riddlesdown - Upper Warlingham - Woldingham - Oxted - Hurst Green - Lingfield - Dormans - East Grinstead
  • London Victoria - Clapham Junction - East Croydon - Redhill - Gatwick Airport - Three Bridges

To apply for a refund, visit www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/strike