Drivers on UK Southern rail suspend next week's strike action -TUC

LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Drivers working for Britain'sSouthern Rail have agreed to suspend strike action next weekwhich would have brought the network to a standstill once again,the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said on Tuesday.

Southern Rail, which runs services from central London toGatwick Airport and Brighton on the south coast, has been hit bya series of stoppages in a dispute about whose job it should beto open and close the train doors.

Driver's union ASLEF had planned to stage three days ofstrikes next week but has agreed to suspend them to allow fortalks on Wednesday with Southern, run by Britain's largest trainoperator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - a joint venture ownedby London-listed Go-Ahead GOG.L and France's Keolis.

"We are committed to finding a fair solution to thisdispute," said TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady. "We arepleased that all parties have agreed to meet for meaningfultalks."

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Stephen Addison)