UK Rail Staff Threaten Strikes

Guards and train drivers working for First Great Western have voted to strike over a dispute with the UK rail company.

The workers are angry that First Great Western's managers are guarding and driving trains, according to the Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).

"RMT members at First Great Western have today made quite clear what they think of First Great Western's confrontational style of management," RMT general secretary Bob Crow says.

First Great Western believes the dispute centres around Sunday working and responded by saying it is "very disappointed" that RMT guards have decided to take industrial action.

"We believe RMT members have a commitment to work some Sundays.

"However the RMT believe guards can choose not to attend on Sundays," says First Great Western.

First Great Western says it is due to meet RMT members tomorrow but the union says its executive will meet shortly "to consider what action to call".

By staff writer