Train ballot threatens key routes

Virgin RMT guards will stop handling cash on board until pay talks begin

Rail passengers on two key long distance routes face a threat of disruption caused by strikes.

The RMT rail union is to ballot nearly 2,000 members on Virgin West Coast and Virgin Cross Country.

The union says the company has refused to begin this year's pay talks, while train guards continue another dispute.

More than 550 guards are refusing to use on-board ticketing machines, which the union says were imposed on staff without agreement.

The RMT said Virgin Trains had refused to discuss pay because of the ongoing row over the introduction of new ticketing machines.

Assistant general secretary Pat Sikorski said: "There is no earthly reason why Virgin should refuse to negotiate on pay, and we will be making a strong recommendation to our members to vote for action to bring the company back to the negotiating table."

More action

Virgin Trains said it was "more than happy" to talk to the RMT about pay, but was not prepared to negotiate wage increases for workers refusing to use the new ticket machines.

The union has given the company notice that action by more than 550 guards over the machines is to be stepped up.

"Guards on both Virgin franchises have been refusing to use the ticketing machines since they were imposed, without agreement, on our members six weeks ago."

From 21 April RMT members working on Virgin trains will not handle any cash aboard the trains until Virgin agrees to negotiate, Mr Sikorski said.