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Rail unions announce strike dates | Rail unions announce strike dates |
(29 minutes later) | |
Rail workers will take strike action on the four days after Easter in a dispute over jobs and working practices. | Rail workers will take strike action on the four days after Easter in a dispute over jobs and working practices. |
Talks between Network Rail and the RMT and TSSA unions at conciliation service Acas failed to reach agreement. | Talks between Network Rail and the RMT and TSSA unions at conciliation service Acas failed to reach agreement. |
TSSA supervisors and RMT maintenance workers will walk out from 6-9 April, while RMT signal staff will strike from 0600-1000 and 1800-2200 the same dates. | TSSA supervisors and RMT maintenance workers will walk out from 6-9 April, while RMT signal staff will strike from 0600-1000 and 1800-2200 the same dates. |
Infrastructure operator Network Rail had said most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced. | |
'Public safety' | 'Public safety' |
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT negotiators have worked flat-out to try and reach an agreement that protects rail safety, job security and working agreements in the disputes involving signalling and maintenance staff on Britain's railways. | RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT negotiators have worked flat-out to try and reach an agreement that protects rail safety, job security and working agreements in the disputes involving signalling and maintenance staff on Britain's railways. |
"Despite long hours of talks, we have received nothing concrete from Network Rail that addresses the key issues." | "Despite long hours of talks, we have received nothing concrete from Network Rail that addresses the key issues." |
TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty said the strike was all about "the safety of the travelling public and the safety and security of our members". | TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty said the strike was all about "the safety of the travelling public and the safety and security of our members". |
The unions said the rail network would be "effectively be closed down" by the industrial action. | |
There were fears that the strike would be called over Easter, but the unions said they avoided this in order not to disrupt the public over the holiday period. | |
'Severe impact' | |
Robin Gisby, Network Rail's director of operations and customer services, disputed the unions' claims that the strike was about safety. | |
He said: "Britain's railway is safer than ever. The issue of safety is a smokescreen from a union leadership stuck in the steam age. | |
"Our contingency plans are well advanced and aim to keep as many trains running as possible. But a national rail strike will have a severe impact on services and on Britain." | |
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: "A strike is in no-one's interests and could cause serious disruption to passengers. | |
"Both sides should seek to resolve this dispute by negotiation and not confrontation and I am urging them to do so." | "Both sides should seek to resolve this dispute by negotiation and not confrontation and I am urging them to do so." |
Will you be affected by the rail strikes? Send us your comments using the form below. | Will you be affected by the rail strikes? Send us your comments using the form below. |
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The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |