RAIL privateers Southern Rail face a double whammy of strikes later this month after drivers’ union Aslef announced the launch of an overtime ban yesterday.

This follows an announcement by rail union RMT on Tuesday that members will be staging a 24-hour walkout on May 30.

Aslef had been in talks with bosses in an attempt to resolve the long-running dispute over staffing levels and the introduction of driver-only operated trains.