The strike by conductors on England's Southern train lines continues, as talks between the union and the line's operator Govia Thameslink Railway broke down. GTR executive Charles Horton blasted the union in a guest column in the Guardian, claiming RMT was misleading conductors, operating out of self-interest instead of in the interest of workers. RMT has countered it has offered to meet with management, but that the Railway has been unwilling to remove preconditions on what topics can be discussed. The strike has resulted in a drastic reduction in services, to the point that many are asking for the government to step in and help the two sides broker a deal and bring the conductors back to work.
See "Southern rail dispute: train firm boss accuses union of misleading staff", Gwyn Topham, The Guardian, August 10, 2016