A total of around 80 people attended a picket line at Ramsgate Railway Station today (August 18) in support of strike action by National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) members.
The action is being taken in a dispute over pay, jobs, work conditions and safety concerns.
The RMT say Network Rail and train operating companies have subjected their staff to multiyear pay freezes and plan to cut thousands of jobs.
Further action on networks including Southeastern takes place on Saturday 20 August (between 00:01 and 23:59) by members of the RMT & TSSA unions.
Mick Jordan, the RMT rep at Southeastern, said: “There was a good attendance today for our fifth day of industrial action. This peaked at about 80 people at its most but with people dipping in and out during the day.
“The next strike day is on Saturday 20th August.”
Southeastern travel advice
Friday 19 August
If you travel on the day after strike action, Friday 19 August, expect severe disruption in the morning.
Services won’t run until Network Rail staff begin their shifts on Friday.
First trains will be busy, and queueing systems will be in place to manage space on trains, so please plan ahead, check your entire journey and allow extra time.
No services will run before 7am.
There will also be strike action affecting the London Underground and Overground network on Friday 19 August. Visit TfL for more information.
Saturday 20 August
There will be a limited service running on the rail network and some routes will be closed. Please only travel by train if absolutely necessary. If you are travelling expect severe disruption, plan ahead and check your entire journey.
Only 45 out of 180 stations will be open. No rail replacement buses will serve stations which are closed.
You may be unable to board trains at stations where a limited service is running, especially at locations such as Ashford and Ebbsfleet.
The last trains back from London will be much earlier than usual.
