Unions threaten summer strikes on railways and Tube

Rail and Tube strikes could continue into the summer in long-running disputes over job cuts and changes to working conditions.

Bosses at the RMT union were today expected to announce strike dates affecting the mainline rail network.

The two largest unions, the RMT and TSSA, have warned they will take action during Easter in their disagreement with Network Rail.

But unions are prepared to continue their action into the summer in defence of 1,500 job cuts at NR and 800 more on the Tube. They say safety standards will be reduced for passengers and staff — a claim robustly denied by NR.

NR signallers, maintenance workers and supervisors have voted in favour of the strike. The company says a walkout by signallers will hit key routes serving the capital. NR admits signallers on their own have the power to halt all or large sections of the national network.

An NR spokesman said the planned job cuts were the result of advancement in rail technology and improved maintenance regimes. He said: "We don't want a strike, we want to talk and there is plenty to talk about but change must come and be implemented to deliver a better railway for everyone."

NR problems were exacerbated by the announcement that Jarvis, one of its principal contractors, was going into administration. On the Tube, the RMT and the TSSA have set a deadline of 5pm for LU to withdraw their job cut plans.