UK Rail Union Calls for Strike

30 March 2010 (Last Updated March 30th, 2010 18:30)

UK rail union RMT has called for a four-day strike to protest against Network Rail's cost-saving measures for Britain's railways. The dispute revolves around issues such as rail safety, job security and working agreements for signalling and maintenance staff. Signalling staff

UK rail union RMT has called for a four-day strike to protest against Network Rail's cost-saving measures for Britain's railways.

The dispute revolves around issues such as rail safety, job security and working agreements for signalling and maintenance staff.

Signalling staff have decided to strike from 6 to 9 April for eight hours each day.

Maintanence staff are expected to strike from 6am on Tuesday April 6 to midnight on Friday April 9.

The rail strike is estimated to cost the economy £600m ($894m) a day.

Talks are on to avert the first national industrial strike in the UK for 16 years.