Rail round-up

Signal workers

Signalling staff in the Wales and the Marches Operations area began a six-day strike on Monday of this week.

RMT union members voted by two to one for action against the imposition of new rosters at the South Wales control centre, set to open next month.

An RMT member at Port Talbot said, “We have always worked 12-hour shifts but the company wants to impose eight-hour shifts, meaning more days have to be worked.”

More than 40 people attended a strike support meeting on Thursday of last week.

Greg Harrison, the union’s Cardiff branch secretary, said, “Members have shown the strongest resolve in balloting for strike action in the face of a heavy-handed management approach.

“I urge all RMT members to show the signallers that the support for their fight comes from all grades on the railway.

“Let’s send a clear message to Network Rail management that bully-boy tactics have no place in this industry.”

Des Mannay and Jeff Hurford

Email messages of support to a.gordon2@rmt.org.uk

Freightliner

Train drivers at Freightliner Intermodal and Freightliner Heavy Haul are set to strike from Wednesday 23 December to Tuesday 5 January.

The workers, who are in the Aslef union at both sections

of the company, are angry at the management’s “extreme approach” to disciplinary procedures.

Southern trains

Drivers at the Southern train company are set to strike for three days over the Christmas holiday period after the company failed to recognise Monday 28 December as a bank holiday.

The Aslef union members are to strike on Sunday 27 December, Monday 28 December and Sunday 3 January.

First Capital Connect

The Aslef train drivers’ union called off a strike of its 550 members at First Capital Connect on Tuesday of last week after the company made an improved pay offer.

The new offer, which workers will be balloting on, means 5 percent over two years.