SWT prepares to battle strike union

South West Trains today prepared for a war of attrition with the RMT union, which has ordered more stoppages for Monday and Tuesday next week.

SWT says union demands are absurd and that it will not give in. Another stoppage has been announced for 12 and 13 February.

The company plans to run 530 trains and 100 coaches. All suitable managers are being told to take the place of train guards who are on strike. Other managers are being trained to run stations or act as platform staff.

Andrew Haines, SWT managing director, said: "We are not prepared to give into the absurd demands of the RMT. On the next strike days we will run over 500 trains - providing 300,000 seats."

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Comment: Blame the Treasury