Heathrow Express workers head for a strike

Rail workers on the Heathrow Express shuttle service between London Paddington and Heathrow airport were set to strike for 24 hours from 12.15pm this Sunday.

The workers, members of the RMT union, are angry at bosses’ refusal to reinstate sacked driver Zahid Majid, and at the victimisation of union rep Liaqat Ali.

They plan a further 24-hour strike starting on Sunday 11 March. And they are also set to hold a 72-hour overtime ban starting at 3am on Saturday 3 March.

Union marks rail disaster

The RMT union’s Lancaster branch marked the eighth anniversary of the Tebay disaster with a memorial meeting last week.

Four rail workers were killed on 15 February 2004 and a further five badly injured when a 16-tonne wagon broke free and sped down a hill.

The union is demanding that Network Rail presses ahead with a warning system to prevent such disasters.

This long-promised system has still to be introduced.