Threat of rail strike at Easter looms larger

The threat of a national rail strike over Easter loomed larger as Network Rail (NR) revealed it had drawn up contingency plans to deal with a walk-out by thousands of workers.

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Mar 2010, 19:25 BST

Updated 9th Mar 2010, 19:29 BST

Ballot results being announced tomorrow and Friday could spark the biggest outbreak of industrial action on the railways since the mid-1990s as rows over job cuts, changes to working practices and pay come to a head.

NR director of operations Robin Gisby said he was not prepared to see the country “held to ransom” by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) which is balloting thousands of its members for strikes.

But RMT general secretary Bob Crow advised passengers not to make any rail travel arrangements over Easter.

The union is balloting 12,000 maintenance and signalling workers in protest at plans to cut 1,500 jobs and change working practices, with the result due on Thursday, followed by a separate strike vote among 5,000 signallers to be announced next week.

Network Rail