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Decision awaited on rail strike Talks seek to avert rail strike
(about 6 hours later)
The first national rail strike since 1994 could be called later, threatening travel disruption over Easter. Last-ditch talks will be held later in a bid to avert the first national rail strike since 1994, which could cause travel disruption over Easter.
Last-ditch talks between the RMT union and Network Rail are due to resume at conciliation service Acas. The RMT union and Network Rail are to negotiate at conciliation service Acas.
Both signal workers and maintenance staff belonging to the RMT have voted in favour of walkouts in a row over job cuts and working conditions.Both signal workers and maintenance staff belonging to the RMT have voted in favour of walkouts in a row over job cuts and working conditions.
Network Rail, which manages the train system, says most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced.Network Rail, which manages the train system, says most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced.
Negotiations over its plans to cut 1,500 maintenance jobs started this week and also involve the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, which represents maintenance workers. It said talks held on Wednesday had yielded "progress".
The RMT executive will meet after the discussions to decide the union's next move but when talks were adjourned on Wednesday a spokesman said that a warning of action was premature. A spokesman said: "Network Rail is committed to pursuing a negotiated settlement - our door is always open to further discussions."
He added that the firm "will do everything it can to run trains to minimise disruption to passengers" in the event of a strike, adding that its contingency plans were at an "advanced stage".
Negotiations over its plans to cut 1,500 maintenance jobs started this week and also involve the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, which also represents maintenance workers.
'Safety concerns''Safety concerns'
The BBC's transport correspondent Richard Scott said that, if no last-minute deal is reached, strike dates are expected to be announced. The RMT executive will meet after the discussions to decide the union's next move, but when talks were adjourned on Wednesday a spokesman said that a warning of action was premature.
Network Rail manages the track and major stations and also wants to change the way maintenance is carried out, doing more of the work at night and at weekends when the rails are less busy. However, BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said that, if no last-minute deal is reached, strike dates are expected to be announced.
Network Rail manages the track and major stations and wants to change the way maintenance is carried out, doing more of the work at night and at weekends when the rails are less busy.
It has said 1,100 workers have already volunteered for redundancy and the "vast majority" of the cuts will be achieved without resorting to compulsory lay-offs.It has said 1,100 workers have already volunteered for redundancy and the "vast majority" of the cuts will be achieved without resorting to compulsory lay-offs.
The RMT claims passenger safety is being put at risk, something which Network Rail denies.The RMT claims passenger safety is being put at risk, something which Network Rail denies.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the ballot in favour of strikes demonstrated members' opposition to cuts and to "the assault on jobs and working conditions".RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the ballot in favour of strikes demonstrated members' opposition to cuts and to "the assault on jobs and working conditions".