MEDIATORS were brought in to try to break a deadlock over negotiations ahead of a 24-hour rail strike today.

Officials from Southern Railway and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), met through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) with the aim of discussing plans to change the role of guards on trains.

But yesterday both the rail company and union said the other side is refusing to sit down at the table while Acas has said the meeting, held last Thursday, will reconvene at a later date.

Services across the Southern network are affected today by the industrial action, which kicked off at 12.01am today (May 18) and ends at the same time tomorrow.

It stems from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the company that runs Southern, planning to ditch its guards in favour of onboard supervisors who can move around the network, handing the safety task of monitoring the doors of each carriage to the driver because of new train technology and CCTV.

Staff and supporters of the RMT fear changing the conductor role will compromise safety and driver wellbeing.

The RMT said about 400 of its members would be out on strike.

Paul Cox, regional organiser of the RMT, told The Argus: "We think we have come up with a viable plan to keep guards on trains.

"We are being met with a dogmatic response: that the train has to run without a conductor.

"They have to sit down and listen to reason. There needs to be a safety role."

The dispute also led to the RMT claiming Southern was embarking on a "campaign of misinformation" over staffing levels and services being cancelled. GTR denied this.

Dyan Crowther, GTR chief operating officer, said: "Our door remains open to talks but the RMT seems determined to inflict another day of misery on Southern commuters. It's time for them to come back to the negotiating table and talk sensibly about these changes.

“The only thing that changes is the new conductors will no longer close the doors, a task that passes to the driver with the aid of CCTV. "This will cost no-one their jobs, and frees up staff on board trains to better serve passengers."

An Acas spokesman said: "Talks took place at Acas last week and have been adjourned and will reconvene in the near future."

Also see: Full Southern Railway timetable for strike day