TRAIN DRIVERS announced that they had resolved their differences with Southern yesterday, but conductors remain in dispute.

The private operator has faced strikes by both sets of workers in long-running disputes over the expansion of driver-only trains and the deskilling of conductors’ roles.

After 10 days of talks, drivers’ union Aslef and Southern’s owner Govia Thameslink Railway announced a deal outside Congress House yesterday afternoon, subject to the union’s members approving it in a ballot.

Neither party would disclose the detail of the agreement on the record, but the Star understands it involves drivers taking responsibility for closing train doors and performing safety checks before departing stations.

Southern have in return offered an improved “programme to address [safety] concerns” over the quality of CCTV images in drivers’ cabs, according to an Aslef source.

The deal is also said to restrict the definition of the “exceptional circumstances” in which trains can operate without a second member of staff.

“I genuinely think the package offers an improvement on safety,” the Aslef source said. “I don’t necessarily think it’s a template for the industry, but it’s a resolution specifically for this dispute.

“Lets make it clear that, contrary to what some sections of the media said, this was never about who pushes the button.”

The source said there was “absolutely a future for a second safety-critical member of staff” under the deal, but that it was “very important to understand that this is a separate dispute.”

But RMT general secretary Mick Cash said his union, which represents conductors, had been given “no details whatsoever” of the agreement because it had been excluded from the TUC-brokered talks.

“That is an appalling way for that group of workers to be treated,” he said.

Mr Cash said RMT would resume talks with Southern bosses once the details were made clear and the company had given an assurance over retaining “a second safetycritical member of staff on Southern services.”

RMT has also announced that it will ballot workers on Merseyrail over the introduction of driver-only trains by that company.

The talks were co-chaired by TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady and rail privateer Abellio’s human resources director Andy Meadows.

Govia chief operating officer Nick Brown said: “Our aim has always been to reach agreement with the unions on our proposals and we’re delighted to have secured a deal today with Aslef to end their dispute.”

Aslef leader Mick Whelan said: “I believe this deal can deliver a safer and appropriately staffed railway for passengers on Southern rail and I will be recommending it to Aslef members.”