Supervisors back national rail walkout

A second rail union has voted for strikes over Network Rail's plans to axe 1,500 maintenance jobs, it was revealed today.

The decision by NR supervisors in the Transport Salaried Staffs Association increases the risk of action crippling the national rail network at Easter.

The ballot involved 2,000 white-collar staff in workshops and depots across the country.

Thousands of the firm's maintenance workers in the Rail Maritime and Transport union yesterday voted for strike action in the same dispute over job cuts and working conditions.

No strike dates will be announced before next Friday, when the RMT will announce the result of a ballot among Network Rail signal staff.

TSSA leader Gerry Doherty, who attended a joint demonstration with RMT leader Bob Crow outside NR's London headquarters today, said: "It is not too late for Network Rail to listen to its workforce and the rail regulator, who said last week that its proposed changes could endanger safety."

Talks between union leaders and Network Rail will be held next Thursday in an attempt to resolve the dispute.