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| Extra staff to cover rail strike | Extra staff to cover rail strike |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Extra staff are being drafted in to stop disruption on the railways signalling workers begin six days of strike action. | |
| Around 70 members Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union based in south Wales and the Marches have walked out until Saturday. | Around 70 members Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union based in south Wales and the Marches have walked out until Saturday. |
| It is in protest at the "imposition" of five shorter shifts in place of the three longer ones they currently work. | It is in protest at the "imposition" of five shorter shifts in place of the three longer ones they currently work. |
| Network Rail said train services would run as normal. | Network Rail said train services would run as normal. |
| The railway signalling workers voted 2-1 for the strikes in the ballot. Around a dozen RMT members held a picket at Newport railway station as the strike began. | The railway signalling workers voted 2-1 for the strikes in the ballot. Around a dozen RMT members held a picket at Newport railway station as the strike began. |
| The action is in response to a consultation by Network Rail about changing roster from 12-hour to eight-hour shifts, which it says will provide more productive hours for employees. | The action is in response to a consultation by Network Rail about changing roster from 12-hour to eight-hour shifts, which it says will provide more productive hours for employees. |
| There is a way forward - there is no need for any disruption - we take no joy in what we're doing. Phil Bialyk , RMT regional organiser | There is a way forward - there is no need for any disruption - we take no joy in what we're doing. Phil Bialyk , RMT regional organiser |
| RMT regional organiser Phil Bialyk said an agreement on how to roster his members' working week has been in place since 1994. | RMT regional organiser Phil Bialyk said an agreement on how to roster his members' working week has been in place since 1994. |
| He said many other workers, including managers, remained with 12-hour shifts. | He said many other workers, including managers, remained with 12-hour shifts. |
| He said: "These shifts have been working perfectly well and will continue to do so. | He said: "These shifts have been working perfectly well and will continue to do so. |
| "This is all about cost saving and that is the question that Network Rail need to answer. | "This is all about cost saving and that is the question that Network Rail need to answer. |
| "It's been all about costs. Right from day one they've been driving home this, they've not really negotiated with us and it's quite clear it's all about costs." | "It's been all about costs. Right from day one they've been driving home this, they've not really negotiated with us and it's quite clear it's all about costs." |
| He urged Network Rail to return to "serious negotiations". | He urged Network Rail to return to "serious negotiations". |
| Safety will not be compromised - either in the arrangements for covering the strike or as part of the proposed roster that enables signallers to work shorter hours Chris Rayner, Network Rail | Safety will not be compromised - either in the arrangements for covering the strike or as part of the proposed roster that enables signallers to work shorter hours Chris Rayner, Network Rail |
| Network Rail insisted the strike would have a "minimal effect" after their own staff received extra training to fill in for those not working. | Network Rail insisted the strike would have a "minimal effect" after their own staff received extra training to fill in for those not working. |
| It said that there would be no changes to services on main south Wales line, along with busy routes to the south Wales valleys, Shrewsbury, Gloucester and mid, west and north Wales. | It said that there would be no changes to services on main south Wales line, along with busy routes to the south Wales valleys, Shrewsbury, Gloucester and mid, west and north Wales. |
| There will be a slightly altered service on the Coryton, city line and Penarth to Rhymney lines on Monday and Tuesday only. | There will be a slightly altered service on the Coryton, city line and Penarth to Rhymney lines on Monday and Tuesday only. |
| All services will return to normal on Wednesday while some late-night services may be replaced by coaches on the Penarth to Rhymney and Vale of Glamorgan lines. | All services will return to normal on Wednesday while some late-night services may be replaced by coaches on the Penarth to Rhymney and Vale of Glamorgan lines. |
| Chris Rayner, route director for Network Rail, said: "We have a tried and tested contingency plan in place. Trained staff will be standing in for strikers, so that passenger services run pretty much as normal. | Chris Rayner, route director for Network Rail, said: "We have a tried and tested contingency plan in place. Trained staff will be standing in for strikers, so that passenger services run pretty much as normal. |
| "Safety will not be compromised - either in the arrangements for covering the strike or as part of the proposed roster that enables signallers to work shorter hours." | "Safety will not be compromised - either in the arrangements for covering the strike or as part of the proposed roster that enables signallers to work shorter hours." |