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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| London Midland conductors threaten strike action | London Midland conductors threaten strike action |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Train conductors on London Midland's service have announced they will take a vote over strike action. | Train conductors on London Midland's service have announced they will take a vote over strike action. |
| The rail union RMT said it was balloting its 523 members over the proposed imposition of security contractors on trains. | The rail union RMT said it was balloting its 523 members over the proposed imposition of security contractors on trains. |
| The union says the company's move was made without agreement. The ballot closes on 2 February. | The union says the company's move was made without agreement. The ballot closes on 2 February. |
| London Midland said it was "very disappointed" the RMT was threatening action. | London Midland said it was "very disappointed" the RMT was threatening action. |
| More updates on this and other stories from Birmingham and the Black Country. | More updates on this and other stories from Birmingham and the Black Country. |
| RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The imposition of external contractors who have no additional skills or powers of authority to remove unruly passengers or fare dodgers is something we are totally opposed to." | |
| 'Front-line feedback' | |
| London Midland said the proposed changes were in reaction to feedback from front-line staff and passengers. | |
| A spokesman for the train operator said: "The security contractors are in addition to the senior conductors and have different duties. | |
| "This is about safety as we have told the RMT many times, we have no intention of removing conductors from our trains". | |
| The RMT said it had been "left with no option but to ballot" after London Midland management had failed to respond to its questions and proposals. |