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First Great Western strike action enters second day First Great Western strike action enters second day
(about 1 hour later)
Commuters are again facing disruption on First Great Western (FGW) trains, as a 48-hour strike enters a second day.Commuters are again facing disruption on First Great Western (FGW) trains, as a 48-hour strike enters a second day.
A limited high-speed service between London, the West of England and Wales is in place for the second morning rush hour of the strike.A limited high-speed service between London, the West of England and Wales is in place for the second morning rush hour of the strike.
The dispute, which began at 18:30 BST on Wednesday, is over plans to dispose of guards and buffet cars on FGW's new Hitachi Inter City Express trains.The dispute, which began at 18:30 BST on Wednesday, is over plans to dispose of guards and buffet cars on FGW's new Hitachi Inter City Express trains.
A separate, 24-hour stoppage on London Underground ended on Thursday night.A separate, 24-hour stoppage on London Underground ended on Thursday night.
Click here for the latest on the first Great Western strike
According to the RMT, about 2,000 members of staff are on strike across the FGW network but the train operator said it was "too early to say" how many employees were involved in the action.According to the RMT, about 2,000 members of staff are on strike across the FGW network but the train operator said it was "too early to say" how many employees were involved in the action.
On Thursday morning, FGW warned it was commuters who would feel the main impact of the industrial action, as services between London, the West and South Wales were reduced by more than half.On Thursday morning, FGW warned it was commuters who would feel the main impact of the industrial action, as services between London, the West and South Wales were reduced by more than half.
But the firm said despite a revised timetable and warnings of much busier trains, more than 60% of services were "operating as normal".But the firm said despite a revised timetable and warnings of much busier trains, more than 60% of services were "operating as normal".
The RMT, however, dismissed the figures as "pure fiction".The RMT, however, dismissed the figures as "pure fiction".
"The solution to this dispute isn't manufactured figures and PR stunts, it is serious talks addressing the core issues that have forced our members to strike," said general secretary Mick Cash."The solution to this dispute isn't manufactured figures and PR stunts, it is serious talks addressing the core issues that have forced our members to strike," said general secretary Mick Cash.
In an open letter to passengers, FGW managing director Mark Hopwood said he was "determined to continue talking to the RMT to try and find a way to resolve this matter."In an open letter to passengers, FGW managing director Mark Hopwood said he was "determined to continue talking to the RMT to try and find a way to resolve this matter."
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This is an unnecessary strike that threatens massive disruption and benefits no-one. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with workers, families and commuters who want to go about their lives without disruption.Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This is an unnecessary strike that threatens massive disruption and benefits no-one. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with workers, families and commuters who want to go about their lives without disruption.
"I urge the strikers to work with FGW to resolve these issues and get back to work.""I urge the strikers to work with FGW to resolve these issues and get back to work."