new zealand due to wildfires burning out of control. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the prospect of more industrial action is looming on southern network after its members rejected the deal. the dispute began last april when members of the rmt first quarter. the disruption intensified in december when train drivers union aslef began its own action. the proposed deal had been condemned by the rnc. aslef says it will respect the rnc. aslef says it will respect the ballot. the parent company has reacted to the vote. paul clifton is in southampton. there was a glimmer of hope. this was a rare ray of sunshine for passengers, the prospect of earning a key vaz ending a key part of this dispute and this afternoon that ray of sunshine has gone. it is very unusualfor a ray of sunshine has gone. it is very unusual for a union membership ray of sunshine has gone. it is very unusualfor a union membership to reject the deal that has been recommended to them and negotiated on th
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