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Rail workers announce bank holiday weekend strike

Credit: PA

Rail workers on First Great Western are to stage a series of strikes, including over the August Bank Holiday weekend, in a row over new trains, the RMT union announced.

The union is in dispute over the introduction of new Hitachi inter city trains, saying the role of guards will be reduced and buffet cars' facilities removed.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, including drivers and guards, will walk out for 24 hours on August 23 and for 72 hours from August 29.

Other union members who work on maintenance will strike on August 29 and 31.

The strikes are due to take place:

  • All day on Sunday 23rd August
  • Midnight on Saturday 29th August until midnight on Monday 31st August

Despite strenuous efforts by our negotiators we have not been able to secure the kind of progress required in the key areas of jobs, services and safety for us to reach an agreement.

As a result we have no option but to put further action on.

The fact remains that if it is good enough for East Coast, using the same trains, to meet the very basic assurances sought by this trade union then it is good enough for First Great Western as well.

– RMT general secretary Mick Cash