is at aslef headquarters in central london. as they point out this was agreed by aslef leadership so what is it the drivers don t like? we heard from another union involved, the rmt, they describe this deal as a scandalous sell outs and a disgrace. the leadership has said the deal would only have in certain circumstances, exceptional circumstances, exceptional circumstances, would there only be drivers but other unions and some of membership themselves felt there we re membership themselves felt there were too many exceptions to that. so were too many exceptions to that. so we had the rank and file membership overturning a deal done by the leadership. the results of the ballot have come through in the last half hour, and about 900 drivers work for aslef on southern, there was a turnout of about 72%. they we re was a turnout of about 72%. they were asked the question, do you accept the proposed agreement on driver only operation and related issues? 54% voted no. driver only op
good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. a deal which promised to resolve one of the country s longest and most damaging rail strikes on the country s largest rail franchise has collapsed, raising the prospect of further industrial action. train drivers, who are members of the trade union aslef, had been balloted about operating trains without a guard or onboard supervisor under certain circumstances. the proposed deal had been condemned as a shocking betrayal by the trade union that represents conductors, the rmt, who began the industrial action last april. their train driving colleagues have now rejected the deal, with 54% voting against it. aslef says it will respect the ballot of its members. southern‘s parent company, govia thameslink railway, has reacted to the aslef vote. in a statement, they have said: ‘naturally, we re saddened and hugely disappointed, as will be our passengers, with today s decision by drivers, particularly as the agreement carried the full