Rail strikes to cost SWT £1m a day

Strike action on South West Trains will cost the company £1 million a day in lost revenue, it has been confirmed.

Stagecoach-owned SWT has improved its pay offer to more than 2,000 station staff and train guards but the RMT - which has ordered two 48-hour stoppages and which meets this afternoon - is not expected to accept the new deal.

The union has ordered the strikes to take place on 3 and 4 January, and again on 7 and 8 January, costing the company £4 million.

A senior SWT manager said: "We are looking at losing nearly £1 million a day. That's not counting the huge disruption for our passengers." The dispute is exacerbated by a row concerning disciplinary action against two employees.