RAIL users could face fresh misery after it emerged that train drivers will be balloted over pay.

Drivers on Southern Railway and Gatwick Express services will vote on whether to go ahead with strike action next month.

Train union ASLEF said the ballot was in response to Southern’s failure to provide an improved pay offer to its driver members.

The Argus understands the current offer on the table from Southern is a 2.65% pay increase.

However drivers are upset that their colleagues working for Southeastern have “been awarded a larger figure of 4.5%”.

Southern’s offer, which was rejected by union members, was made in October last year.

Insiders said Southern was reluctant to “move quickly” because the firm is set to merge with Govia Thameslink Railway in July and “does not care” for keeping up relationships with its drivers.

A source said: “Southern don’t care and aren’t in a hurry.

“If a company at the start of an eight-year franchise wants to build up relationships, they’ll move promptly, but they’re coming to an end of their deal.

“Southern made the offer in October, didn’t get round to negotiating until Christmas and now it’s April with still no movement.

“Drivers are feeling angry. The 2.65% offer was made at the same time as Southeastern’s offer to their drivers for 4.5%.

“That’s the problem. It’s the same trains in and out of London on commuter lines, so they want to know why the offer is so short.”

In an email seen by The Argus, ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan told his members the decision to ballot was made in a meeting on April 17.

Members have until Wednesday May 20 to return their ballot papers with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on whether to strike.

A Southern Rail spokeswoman said: “ASLEF has told us that it intends to ballot its members but we have not yet received formal notification.

“We are disappointed that our above inflation pay offer of 2.65% did not meet its aspirations.

“We are currently exploring options with ASLEF about how to resolve these pay talks without inconveniencing our passengers.”