RMT calls strike on night of big FA Cup clash between Crystal Palace and Brighton

In response to news that the RMT's latest strike on Southern has been called for the same day (8 January) as the 7.45pm FA Cup tie clash between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Crystal Palace, Angie Doll, Passenger Services Director for Southern Railway, said:

“This RMT strike action is a blow for fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace. The RMT leadership has chosen to call a strike for one of the biggest nights of the season for both clubs. Instead of looking forward to the game, thousands of supporters will be concerned about their travel arrangements for the big night.

“The RMT’s action is especially regrettable as the leadership has announced this strike just hours after we had invited them for talks in a bid to end the dispute.

“We made these changes a year ago to improve passenger services and no-one has lost their job through what we have done. We have made four offers to the RMT to resolve their dispute but they have rejected every one of them without even putting it to their membership for a vote.”

For background, Southern will be trying to find a way to run as much its normal service and ‘football specials’ as possible but won’t know what that this might look like until after the Christmas break.