Railway workers vote on strikes

The RMT is disputing the roles of staff on new high speed trains

Railway workers on the Southeastern network are to vote on whether to take industrial action over pay and safety.

The disputes are about the role of guards on new trains, and a pay offer.

Results of ballots starting next week will be known in September, said Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

Southeastern urged workers to vote in favour of the "good" 4.3% pay deal, and said RMT objections to changed roles for guards came as a "disappointment".

About 750 retail and engineering workers will be balloted for strikes over the pay offer, the RMT said.

And up to 500 guards, drivers and customer service staff are set to vote on the safety role of guards on trains.

'Safety not compromised'

Mr Crow claimed Southeastern wanted to "scrap" guards and make drivers operate the doors on new high speed Javelin trains - he said the "cost-cutting" move was an "attack on safety".

But a spokesman for Southeastern said there would still be a customer services role on board the new trains.

He said: "It will be slightly different but they [the RMT] have got their views. We feel there needs to be that role.

"Safety would never be compromised on Southeastern trains."

The Southeastern network covers Kent, East Sussex, and part of Surrey.

The high speed Javelin trains are due to start running between Kent and London from the end of next year.

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