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Rail bosses and unions to meet Rail bosses and unions to meet
(about 16 hours later)
London Midland bosses say they will meet unions to discuss the cancellation of all but one of the company's Sunday services because of a lack of drivers.London Midland bosses say they will meet unions to discuss the cancellation of all but one of the company's Sunday services because of a lack of drivers.
Thousands of rail passengers suffered problems after the firm cancelled all but its Birmingham-to-Liverpool route.Thousands of rail passengers suffered problems after the firm cancelled all but its Birmingham-to-Liverpool route.
London Midland, which operates 1,200 services a day, relies on drivers volunteering on Sundays but said not enough had offered to work this week.London Midland, which operates 1,200 services a day, relies on drivers volunteering on Sundays but said not enough had offered to work this week.
An agreement where drivers were paid double on Sundays ended last weekend.An agreement where drivers were paid double on Sundays ended last weekend.
...the present debacle cannot be allowed to drift on any longer Conservative MP Michael Fabricant...the present debacle cannot be allowed to drift on any longer Conservative MP Michael Fabricant
Network Rail said its major stations were noticeably quieter and some of the smaller stations were deserted.Network Rail said its major stations were noticeably quieter and some of the smaller stations were deserted.
London Midland, which operates services to 149 stations between London, the Midlands and the North West, was criticised after revealing its drivers usually work on a voluntary basis on Sundays.London Midland, which operates services to 149 stations between London, the Midlands and the North West, was criticised after revealing its drivers usually work on a voluntary basis on Sundays.
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, who represents Lichfield in Staffordshire, said the situation was "unacceptable" and called on Transport Secretary Lord Adonis to withdraw London Midland's contract.Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, who represents Lichfield in Staffordshire, said the situation was "unacceptable" and called on Transport Secretary Lord Adonis to withdraw London Midland's contract.
"After all the disruption, sacrifice and noise residents were forced to endure caused by the four-tracking of the main line by Lichfield, the present debacle cannot be allowed to drift on any longer," he said."After all the disruption, sacrifice and noise residents were forced to endure caused by the four-tracking of the main line by Lichfield, the present debacle cannot be allowed to drift on any longer," he said.
Monday servicesMonday services
The Rail Maritime and Transport Union said workers were not taking organised action.The Rail Maritime and Transport Union said workers were not taking organised action.
General Secretary Bob Crow said it was a case of staff exercising their contractual right not to work on a Sunday.General Secretary Bob Crow said it was a case of staff exercising their contractual right not to work on a Sunday.
A London Midland spokeswoman said meetings between the company and the union were scheduled for next week.A London Midland spokeswoman said meetings between the company and the union were scheduled for next week.
"We will be contacting them tomorrow to discuss the fact that in their comments to the media they raised the issue of overtime payments as a reason for staff not volunteering," she said."We will be contacting them tomorrow to discuss the fact that in their comments to the media they raised the issue of overtime payments as a reason for staff not volunteering," she said.
"They have not previously advised the company they wanted to discuss the continuation of the short term, double time agreements.""They have not previously advised the company they wanted to discuss the continuation of the short term, double time agreements."
London Midland made arrangements for other companies to honour their tickets and put on some bus services.London Midland made arrangements for other companies to honour their tickets and put on some bus services.
Operations and safety director Andy Thomas apologised for the disruption.Operations and safety director Andy Thomas apologised for the disruption.
He said: "Where we have had staff coming in to work we have run services and also ensured we prepare the trains and operations behind the scenes to start Monday morning services overnight."He said: "Where we have had staff coming in to work we have run services and also ensured we prepare the trains and operations behind the scenes to start Monday morning services overnight."
He added that Monday services would run as normal.He added that Monday services would run as normal.
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