MORE industrial action could be on the way by workers of Southern Railway - this time from ticket office staff.

The RMT have announced 70% of its members who work in ticket offices have voted in favour of strike action over a threat to jobs, pay and safety.

The union says nearly 80% voted in favour of industrial action short of a strike.

These results will now be considered by the union executive.

It comes as Govia Thameslink Railways, the parent company of Southern, attempt to introduce a new position of station host while closing ticket offices, or reducing the time they are open.

Instead the new role will see a member of staff positioned on the station concourse or platform who would be responsible for selling tickets and manning the ticket barriers.

The RMT estimates the changes would result in a cut of at least 130 jobs.

Southern and the RMT are at the centre of a bitter industrial dispute over the role of the conductor. The union is currently considering its options after talks at the conciliatory service ACAS broke down on Monday without agreement.

RMT assistant general secretary Steve Hedley said in a statement: "The Govia Thamelink franchise is in meltdown and not fit for purpose.

"Not content with axing catering services, closing ticket offices and attacking the role of their guards they now want to threaten 130 station jobs and compromise the safety of both their passengers and staff alike.

"These plans fly in the face of the response from the thousands of passengers who objected to the closure of ticket offices and the de-staffing of stations as Govia drives on with plans for a 'faceless railway' where the public are left to fend for themselves on rammed-out, dangerous and unreliable services.

"In light of this strong mandate from our members our National Executive Committee will be considering the course of industrial action."