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Thousands suffer rail disruption Thousands suffer rail disruption
(about 10 hours later)
Thousands of rail commuters in south-east England are facing a second day of disruption because of a row over pay. Thousands of rail commuters in south-east England have faced the worst disruption in a week due to a pay row.
Nearly half of First Capital Connect's 400 Thameslink services on its Brighton to Bedford route will be cancelled as many drivers refuse to work overtime. Nearly half of First Capital Connect's 400 Thameslink services on its Brighton to Bedford route have been cancelled as drivers refused to work overtime.
They are angered by the company's plan to freeze pay this year and offer a minimum 3% rise next year. The company's plan to freeze pay this year and offer a minimum 3% rise next year has been described as derisory.
Their action is unofficial, although unions are to ballot for strike action which could affect Christmas travel. Junior Transport Minister Chris Mole called the action irresponsible and asked for it to halt immediately.
The action of the drivers is unofficial, although unions are to ballot for strike action which could affect Christmas travel.
All services between London and King's Lynn and Peterborough were cancelled on Sunday and 50 services in Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Surrey, Sussex, Cambridgeshire and the capital failed to run on Wednesday.All services between London and King's Lynn and Peterborough were cancelled on Sunday and 50 services in Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Surrey, Sussex, Cambridgeshire and the capital failed to run on Wednesday.
'Held to ransom'
First Capital Connect said the disruption was at its worst on Thursday, with 200 services cancelled.
A spokesman said there had been an "escalation in cancellation in Thameslink services since Monday", forcing the company to introduce a new timetable reflecting the cancellations.
Mr Mole was called to the Commons after an urgent question was put down by the Conservative MP for St Albans, Anne Main, who said commuters were facing "absolute chaos".
Mr Mole said: "Concerted action to stop trains running is irresponsible.
"Train companies need to ensure their staffing arrangements are robust, so they cannot be held to ransom in this way."
"The action by drivers on FCC appears to be coordinated and it is highly regrettable given that talks are continuing."
A statement on First Capital Connect's website read: "We are extremely sorry that a shortage of train drivers has forced us to cancel a large number of services on the Thameslink route.A statement on First Capital Connect's website read: "We are extremely sorry that a shortage of train drivers has forced us to cancel a large number of services on the Thameslink route.
A 1970s-style industrial dispute is the last thing the railways need Norman Baker, Lib Dems One commuter decribed the situtation as a joke
"To allow us to operate as consistent a timetable as possible over the coming days, we have introduced an amended timetable.""To allow us to operate as consistent a timetable as possible over the coming days, we have introduced an amended timetable."
It added it was in ongoing pay talks with the drivers' union Aslef in a bid to ease the situation.It added it was in ongoing pay talks with the drivers' union Aslef in a bid to ease the situation.
Aslef general secretary Keith Norman said: "We regret that matters have come to this, particularly at a company where profit levels have bucked the trend of the recession." Aslef's Mick Whelan said the drivers were contracted to work four days a week, and the company had been covering the other three days on a goodwill basis.
He told Radio 4's Today programme: "People reacted and withdrew their goodwill on overtime on an individual basis because of what is seen as a rather derisory pay offer.
"I'd imagine there was a degree a peer pressure but the reality is, it only takes a small amount of drivers based upon the shift system to disrupt the service unfortunately."
'Irresponsible game-playing'
He added: "We have been arguing for two years for full employment, we have been arguing for having lots of drivers in place.
"We have been fighting for the right number of drivers so this can't happen."
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "A 1970s-style industrial dispute is the last thing the railways need.Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "A 1970s-style industrial dispute is the last thing the railways need.
"Whatever differences there are between management and the unions, there is no reason for the passenger to suffer.""Whatever differences there are between management and the unions, there is no reason for the passenger to suffer."
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers accused unions of "irresponsible game-playing". Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers accused unions of "irresponsible game-playing".
"A strike by drivers in the run-up to Christmas would be deeply disruptive and those involved must do all they can to avoid it," she said."A strike by drivers in the run-up to Christmas would be deeply disruptive and those involved must do all they can to avoid it," she said.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The government is disappointed to see passengers being disadvantaged in this way and looks to both First Capital Connect and their staff to find a way to get the services running again."