Series of rail strikes in December to go ahead after talks collapse

Strikes by workers on South Western Railway throughout December will go ahead after talks over the guards on trains dispute collapsed.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out next Monday and take 27 days of industrial action.

The strikes will cause travel disruption for commuters, Christmas shoppers and people visiting families over the festive break.

Talks were held over the past two days at the conciliation service Acas but ended without agreement.

The union accused the company of “wrecking” attempts to reach a deal in the long-running row over the role of guards on trains.