Southern rail strikes suspended as two sides agree to TUC talks

The train drivers’ union is to suspend industrial action on Southern rail ahead of fresh talks aimed at resolving a bitter dispute with management over driver-only trains.

The two sides will meet on Wednesday under the joint chairmanship of the TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, and the HR director of the rail firm Abellio, Andy Meadows.

Aslef said it had agreed to suspend three days of strikes scheduled for next week.

In a joint statement, O’Grady and Meadows said: “We are committed to finding a fair solution to this dispute. We are pleased the parties have agreed to meet for meaningful talks.”