June 2022 RMT strike action on Southeastern next week
14 June 2022
RMT strike action on Southeastern next week
Dear Stakeholder
Last week, the RMT announced that it will be taking co-ordinated national strike action between
00:01 and 23:59 on:
▪ Tuesday 21st June
▪ Thursday 23rd June
▪ Saturday 25th June
This action will impact 14 train operators across the country, including Southeastern, and Network
Rail.
As a result, we expect significant disruption across the Southeastern network. Most of our stations
and routes will be closed and services will be severely restricted, with only 20% of trains running.
There will be no trains outside London, except for Highspeed services between London St
Pancras and Ashford.
Trains that are running will only do so for a limited time during the day and are likely to be extremely
busy. We strongly recommend that passengers do not travel on these dates and make
alternative plans. We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause.
Due to the timing of the strike action dates, we also expect services in between strike days to be
heavily disrupted, especially in the mornings until around midday.
Timetables for strike dates are now available on our website and will be in journey planners 2 days
before strike action begins. Refunds will be available for those deciding not to travel due to strike
action.
If any of your constituents need to contact us during this period please advise them to visit our
website help and contact page: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/help-andcontact/get-intouch/contact-us
Please see the strike service availability map and Q&A below for further information.
If you have other questions about the strike and the impact on railway services, please email
George.paterson@southeasternrailway.co.uk.
Yours sincerely
George Paterson
Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Southeastern
Questions and Answers
*These answers are based on the current situation and are subject to change
What should customers do on strike dates?
Our advice is do not travel as we are only able to provide a severely restricted
service.
Those limited trains running may be subject to short notice cancellation or delay and are likely to be
extremely busy
Passengers who decide to travel on days during industrial action must check before they travel and
allow extra time for journeys
When will details of the services you are planning to run be available?
Timetables for strike days are now available on our website. These timetables will be showing in
journey planners 2 days before the strike. We will keep passengers updated via our website, email
alerts, our App, Twitter and at stations. As always please check before you travel.
Where trains are not running will be there be a replacement bus service or replacement taxis?
No, there will be no replacement bus or taxi services running on during the day(s) of industrial
action. The availability of buses and taxis is extremely limited and far short of what we would require.
Why has the RMT balloted for industrial action?
The RMT has balloted their members at 14 train companies and Network Rail on potential industrial
action relating to pay, terms and conditions and job security.
What does the outcome of the ballot mean?
The recent ballot gives the RMT a mandate to call for industrial action at any point during the next 6
months. Industrial action means it can call its members out on strike, or to take action short of a
strike, such as a ban on rest day working or overtime (both of which would also cause service
disruption).
How does industrial action affect train services?
Generally speaking, the more industrial action there is, the more significant the impact on the railway,
which relies upon its drivers, conductors, signallers, and platform staff among a vast number of other
roles to operate the system.
If fewer workers go on strike, there is less of an impact on the operation of the railway. The more
people who take action, the greater the impact, and given that many roles are safety critical we have
to close parts of the railway in order to dedicate resources to the parts of the network that we can
run, if at all.
The union can take a decision to withdraw strike action at any time, up to 24 hours before, however
a late notice withdrawal of action won’t be sufficient time and notice to re-instate our full service.
Does this only affect Southeastern?
This is a national dispute – members of the RMT have voted in favour of industrial action across the
country. The RMT has a mandate for industrial action on 14 train operator networks and Network