RAIL users are set for two days of misery beginning tomorrow as rail strikes are set to paralyse the network.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) will walk out at 11am tomorrow for 24 hours in a row over changes to the role of conductors.

Southern Rail conductors want to stop operator Govia Thameslink Railway's (GTR) plans to staff some trains only by drivers and introduce a new role of 'on-board supervisor'.

Two more days of strikes are planned on May 10 and 12, seriously disrupting Southern Rail trains.

It is the second strike due to hit services in Sussex this week, with junior doctors also striking tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday in a row over working terms.

Meanwhile union members have accused bosses of being "threatening" and "pathetic" in their attempts to avert the action.

Yesterday the RMT union slammed a letter sent to conductors by the chief executive of their employer Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), warning of docked pay and other benefits if they went on strike.

The Argus: Red lines on the map indicate no service; yellow indicates significantly reduced service between 07.30 and 18.00; Blue indicates reduced service, trains expected to be very busy. Download the full map: Southern_services_during_RMT_strike.pdf

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said he had "never seen such a disgraceful communication".

He added: "I’m afraid it just proves how little the company think of its staff.

"Some of the things that the company are threatening, for example taking the Govia travel passes from your partners and dependents, is basically pathetic. A petulant child wouldn’t be that petty."

GTR has promised no compulsory job losses or cuts in pay, and says some staff could be better off by switching roles.

A spokesman for GTR yesterday defended the letter sent by its chief executive Charles Horton (Letter to conductors page one.pdf and Letter to conductors page two.pdf).

A spokesman said: "This strike will be massively damaging for both our passengers and for our business.

"Taking part in the strike comes with consequences and we are simply setting out what those consequences will be.

"We hope that those who are thinking of taking part in the strike will think again and report for work, saving our passengers the misery of strike action."

The current conductor role will remain on some older trains, but is planned to change on newer rolling stock being introduced in the coming weeks.

GTR is facing a series of disputes with unions threatening industrial action across its network, which includes Southern, Great Northern, Gatwick Express and ThamesLink.