Fears of further disruption for commuters as unions escalate row with Greater Anglia
Video report by ITV News Anglia's Hannah Pettifer
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has announced it's stepping up its row with Greater Anglia, by introducing a ban on overtime working.
RMT members at the train operator are already set to go on strike next week (October 3 and 5) in a dispute over the role of guards, but they have now signalled their intention to go even further by instructing conductors not to take on overtime from October 10 to November 6.
Overtime and rest day working plays a significant part in allowing train companies to run a full timetable.
The union says it's taking the action because it hasn't received any clarification about the future role of guards on Greater Anglia services.
Around 60% of Greater Anglia services don't currently have conductors, including trains to London Liverpool Street from Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Ipswich.
Greater Anglia routes that DO have conductors
Norwich to London, Cambridge, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Sheringham
Ipswich to Cambridge, Lowestoft, Felixstowe, Peterborough
Marks Tey to Sudbury
Manningtree to Harwich
Clacton/Walton-on-the-Naze to Colchester
Greater Anglia said it had no intention of removing conductors from their trains and has spent the last few months training back office staff so they can fill in for guards in a bid to minimise disruption.
"We are open for talks with the RMT in the hope that we can avert the strike," Richard Dean from Greater Anglia said.
"However, we know our customers don't want to see their services cancelled, so we have spent several months training back office staff so that they can fill in for conductors.
"The majority of our services are not affected by the proposed strike anyway, but we are now prepared for the 40% of services that have conductors.
"Our back office staff have gone through a rigorous training process, and have to pass competence, medical and safety tests before they can stand in for conductors."
Greater Anglia also added that it was planning to run a full service during next week's strikes.