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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Rail strike 'cripples' services | Rail strike 'cripples' services |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A strike by rail unions has caused major disruption on National Express East Anglia train services, unions say. | A strike by rail unions has caused major disruption on National Express East Anglia train services, unions say. |
| The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) and Aslef unions said the 48-hour action, part of a dispute over pay and conditions, had "crippled" services. | The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) and Aslef unions said the 48-hour action, part of a dispute over pay and conditions, had "crippled" services. |
| It affects Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and services into London and Stansted airport. | It affects Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and services into London and Stansted airport. |
| A limited peak-time service has been staffed by National Express managers but many commuters stayed at home. | A limited peak-time service has been staffed by National Express managers but many commuters stayed at home. |
| National Express had warned it would only be able to run limited services and no replacement buses would be available. | National Express had warned it would only be able to run limited services and no replacement buses would be available. |
| A further three strikes are planned for next month. | A further three strikes are planned for next month. |
| The Rail Maritime and Transport union and Aslef said their members "solidly supported" the walkout, which is due to be followed by three further 48-hour stoppages in the coming weeks. | The Rail Maritime and Transport union and Aslef said their members "solidly supported" the walkout, which is due to be followed by three further 48-hour stoppages in the coming weeks. |
| RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "This strike has been caused by greedy National Express bosses who have soaked up £2.5bn in taxpayer subsidies in the past 10 years and who have milked every penny out of this franchise, while treating their staff like dirt." | |
| These passengers outside Norwich station said they had been affected | These passengers outside Norwich station said they had been affected |
| Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express East Anglia, said: "The unions' demands are totally unrealistic, especially in this current economic climate. | Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express East Anglia, said: "The unions' demands are totally unrealistic, especially in this current economic climate. |
| "We have offered salary increases above the rate of inflation, and remain available at any time for discussions." | "We have offered salary increases above the rate of inflation, and remain available at any time for discussions." |
| "Strike action is unnecessary, simply not the solution and I would like to apologise to our customers." | "Strike action is unnecessary, simply not the solution and I would like to apologise to our customers." |
| One commuter, Juliette Maxam who uses the train between Colchester and Ipswich, told BBC News Online: "I worked from home today as if I had stayed late at work I could have been stranded in Ipswich." | One commuter, Juliette Maxam who uses the train between Colchester and Ipswich, told BBC News Online: "I worked from home today as if I had stayed late at work I could have been stranded in Ipswich." |
| National Express managers say the unions want a 2.5% pay rise, a four-day working week and a 4% increase in the number of train drivers. | National Express managers say the unions want a 2.5% pay rise, a four-day working week and a 4% increase in the number of train drivers. |