This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/12/virgin-trains-east-cost-staff-to-strike-in-row-over-jobs
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Virgin Trains East Coast staff to strike in row over jobs | Virgin Trains East Coast staff to strike in row over jobs |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Rail staff at Virgin Trains East Coast are to go on strike over two weekends in August in a row over jobs and working conditions, following a vote for industrial action announced earlier this week. | |
| Members of the RMT union will hold three 24-hour strikes, on 19 August and around the bank holiday weekend on 26 and 29 August. They will also ban overtime for 48 hours from 27 August. | Members of the RMT union will hold three 24-hour strikes, on 19 August and around the bank holiday weekend on 26 and 29 August. They will also ban overtime for 48 hours from 27 August. |
| The union said almost 200 jobs were under threat, in a dispute that it claims has been aggravated by the company ignoring agreements and trying to persuade staff to accept cuts. | The union said almost 200 jobs were under threat, in a dispute that it claims has been aggravated by the company ignoring agreements and trying to persuade staff to accept cuts. |
| Related: Mass strikes and belligerent disputes: why it’s all kicking off on the railways | Christian Wolmar | Related: Mass strikes and belligerent disputes: why it’s all kicking off on the railways | Christian Wolmar |
| It is the latest outbreak of RMT-led industrial action on the railways after train managers on Eurostar launched a four-day walkout on Friday, while conductors on Southern rail were on strike until Wednesday. | It is the latest outbreak of RMT-led industrial action on the railways after train managers on Eurostar launched a four-day walkout on Friday, while conductors on Southern rail were on strike until Wednesday. |
| Virgin has said it will continue to run a full service during the strike. | Virgin has said it will continue to run a full service during the strike. |
| The RMT said Virgin and Stagecoach, who run the franchise, were believed to have bid too much to win it and were looking to recoup costs. The union’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “RMT will not sit back while nearly 200 members’ jobs are under threat and while conditions and safety are put at risk by a franchise which is clearly in financial trouble. | The RMT said Virgin and Stagecoach, who run the franchise, were believed to have bid too much to win it and were looking to recoup costs. The union’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “RMT will not sit back while nearly 200 members’ jobs are under threat and while conditions and safety are put at risk by a franchise which is clearly in financial trouble. |
| “We will also not tolerate the cavalier attitude to safety that is now on show as the company mobilises its scab army of managers.” | “We will also not tolerate the cavalier attitude to safety that is now on show as the company mobilises its scab army of managers.” |
| He added: “Our members will not pay the price for a crisis cooked up in the Virgin/Stagecoach boardroom. The action is on and the union remains available for serious talks.” | |
| However, Virgin has said it has given assurances to the union, including ruling out any compulsory redundancies as a result of the changes. | However, Virgin has said it has given assurances to the union, including ruling out any compulsory redundancies as a result of the changes. |
| Earlier this week, Virgin said it had worked hard to ensure there were comprehensive contingency plans in place and the timetable would be unaffected should any strike go ahead. | Earlier this week, Virgin said it had worked hard to ensure there were comprehensive contingency plans in place and the timetable would be unaffected should any strike go ahead. |