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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 has said most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced. 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".
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: "A strike is in no one's interests and could cause serious disruption to passengers. 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."


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