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Court challenge over train strike Court challenge over train strike
(about 1 hour later)
The planned national rail strike by the RMT union is being challenged by Network Rail in the High Court. A planned national rail strike by the RMT union is being challenged by Network Rail in the High Court.
The company will try to avert the first national rail strike in 16 years by alleging there were discrepancies in the RMT's ballot for industrial action. The company, which is trying to avert the first national rail strike in 16 years, has alleged discrepancies in the RMT's ballot for industrial action.
The union, which has called strikes over four days, starting next Tuesday, said it would strongly defend itself.The union, which has called strikes over four days, starting next Tuesday, said it would strongly defend itself.
It plans to strike over Network Rail's plans to cut 1,500 jobs and increase evening and weekend maintenance work.It plans to strike over Network Rail's plans to cut 1,500 jobs and increase evening and weekend maintenance work.
The union said the plans would affect rail safety. The union says the plans would affect rail safety.
In a written argument before the court, Charles Bear QC, for Network Rail, said: "The strike will have the effect of preventing about 80% of all rail services in the UK, so causing immense damage to the economy, to businesses depending on rail for freight and/or transport of commuting workers, and to a great many individual rail users."
He said it would also "profoundly damage" the train operating companies and Network Rail.
RefundsRefunds
Network Rail has said it found "scores of discrepancies and inaccuracies" in the RMT's strike ballot of signalling staff. Network Rail says it has found "scores of discrepancies and inaccuracies" in the RMT's strike ballot of signalling staff.
TRAIN COMPANIES INVOLVED East CoastFirst Great WesternLondon OvergroundLondon MidlandSouthernSoutheasternSouth West TrainsVirgin TrainsEurostar Rail firms issue strike timetablesTRAIN COMPANIES INVOLVED East CoastFirst Great WesternLondon OvergroundLondon MidlandSouthernSoutheasternSouth West TrainsVirgin TrainsEurostar Rail firms issue strike timetables
The legal challenge concerns only the ballot of signallers, and does not relate to the RMT's ballot of maintenance workers and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) ballot of supervisors.The legal challenge concerns only the ballot of signallers, and does not relate to the RMT's ballot of maintenance workers and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) ballot of supervisors.
In preparation for disruption, train companies have published revised timetables for 6 to 9 April when members of the RMT and TSSA unions are due to walk out. A decision is expected later on Thursday, before the court closes for the four-day Easter holiday.
In preparation for disruption, train companies have published revised timetables for 6 to 9 April, when members of the RMT and TSSA unions are due to walk out.
Train operators say no services will run between 1900 BST and 0700 BST.Train operators say no services will run between 1900 BST and 0700 BST.
The Association of Train Operating Companies said passengers would be eligible for a refund or be able to switch to another service if their train was cancelled or ran later than originally scheduled.The Association of Train Operating Companies said passengers would be eligible for a refund or be able to switch to another service if their train was cancelled or ran later than originally scheduled.
If there are no trains on a particular route, season ticket holders will be able to claim compensation.If there are no trains on a particular route, season ticket holders will be able to claim compensation.
TSSA supervisors and RMT maintenance workers are set to walk out from 6 to 9 April inclusive, while RMT signal staff will strike from 0600 BST to 1000 BST and 1800 BST to 2200 BST on the same days.TSSA supervisors and RMT maintenance workers are set to walk out from 6 to 9 April inclusive, while RMT signal staff will strike from 0600 BST to 1000 BST and 1800 BST to 2200 BST on the same days.
An estimated four out of every five trains would be cancelled, and on the commuter lines into Victoria, Waterloo, Liverpool Street and London Bridge, all in London, that proportion could rise to nine out of every 10. An estimated four out of every five trains could be cancelled, and on the commuter lines into Victoria, Waterloo, Liverpool Street and London Bridge, all in London, that proportion could rise to nine out of every 10.