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Talks seek to avert rail strike | Talks seek to avert rail strike |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Last-ditch talks have been held in a bid to avert the first national rail strike since 1994, which could cause travel disruption over Easter. | |
The RMT union and Network Rail met at conciliation service Acas, although the outcome is not yet known. | |
Signal workers and maintenance staff belonging to the RMT voted for walkouts in a row over job cuts and conditions. | |
Infrastructure operator Network Rail says most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced. | Infrastructure operator Network Rail says most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced. |
The RMT says options for action include a strike and an overtime ban. | |
Network Rail said talks held on Wednesday had yielded "progress". | Network Rail said talks held on Wednesday had yielded "progress". |
A spokesman said: "Network Rail is committed to pursuing a negotiated settlement - our door is always open to further discussions." | A spokesman said: "Network Rail is committed to pursuing a negotiated settlement - our door is always open to further discussions." |
Following negotiations with the company's secured lenders, it has today become clear that sufficient support will not be extended to the company to enable it to continue trading as a going concern Rail maintenance firm Jarvis Jarvis to call in administrators | |
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". | 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. | 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. |
An RMT spokesman said that a warning of action was premature when talks were adjourned on Wednesday. | |
However, BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said that, if no last-minute deal was reached, strike dates were 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. | 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. |
'Assault on jobs' | 'Assault on jobs' |
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". |
The talks came as rail maintenance company Jarvis announced that it would go into administration after lenders refused to offer the company further credit. | |
Jarvis said: "Following negotiations with the company's secured lenders, it has today become clear that sufficient support will not be extended to the company to enable it to continue trading as a going concern." | Jarvis said: "Following negotiations with the company's secured lenders, it has today become clear that sufficient support will not be extended to the company to enable it to continue trading as a going concern." |
The company has seen big reductions in its business since the beginning of the recession in 2008. | The company has seen big reductions in its business since the beginning of the recession in 2008. |