RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
 
"RMT demands again today that this union be given access to exactly the same talks process in our Southern Rail disputes as has been brokered for our sister union by the TUC. 
 
"We would remind all parties that not only is RMT a recognised drivers union on Southern but that it is also our guards members who have made huge personal sacrifices in the long fight for passenger safety. The notion that some sort of deal can be done which leaves those Southern guards out in the cold is ludicrous.  
 
"As a result of our exclusion from the talks process set up by the TUC and the Government both our guards and drivers action remains on next week and we demand and expect a positive response to our fresh demand for a seat at the negotiating table."
 
Ends