Maria Caulfield MP has criticised Southern Rail for being reluctant to return to talks with the RMT after the Lewes MP suggested Southern and the union return to talks.
Maria took the initiative to contact both parties urging them to return to ACAS mediated talks to resolve the long running dispute. Following the RMT’s agreement to talks without preconditions Maria urged Southern to do the same.
However Charles Horton Chief Executive of Southern Rail has declined Maria Caulfield’s appeal to return to talks for the good of passengers.
Commenting Maria Caulfield said “I am angry that Southern have turned down this opportunity to resolve this dispute that has been ruining lives for most of this year.”
“I am contacted by hundreds of constituents everyday regarding this dispute and I know that it is having a terrible impact on their lives. This is why I have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to try and bring both parties together for talks to find a solution.”
“I continue to implore both Southern Rail and the RMT to return to talks, overseen by ACAS and do all they can to solve this dispute and bring this unnecessary crisis to an end as from next Tuesday there will be no trains at all operating from the constituency.”