Rail strikes delayed for talks

The third strike on SWT was due next week

Strikes planned for next week on South West Trains have been delayed for possible talks between union and management.

The third 48-hour strike on SWT on 24 and 25 January over pay and disciplinary issues will be put back four days to allow time for negotiation, the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said.

But the union warned of fresh strike action on 12 and 13 February if no agreement is reached.

Acting RMT general secretary Vernon Hince said in a statement: "We have been calling for more talks ever since this dispute began and still remain hopeful of reaching a resolution."

Delay

But South West Trains said the delay was for the union's benefit.

"It is obvious that under pressure from staff who are tired of losing money for a strike many no longer support, the RMT has moved its next two strike days into the following month's pay period."

It also criticised the short notice given to the move, saying thousands of commuters would have to change their plans once again.

The RMT called for the third stoppage after rejecting a 7.6% pay offer from the company.

The SWT strikes earlier this month caused severe disruption on commuter lines that serve London and the South.

'No excuses'

Elsewhere RMT staff at Arriva Northern, hoping to narrow pay differences between guards and drivers, have already announced two 48-hour strikes, on 24 and 25 January and 5 and 6 February.

The disruption has led to renewed criticism of the government's handling of the railways.

But Transport Secretary Stephen Byers has already said the government will not interfere in rail disputes.

And he has gone on the offensive with the launch on Monday of the 10-year-plan for improving the ailing railways.

In unveiling the package of measures by the Strategic Rail Authority, Mr Byers said there would be "no more excuses" for the railways.

In response to rail strikes earlier this month the general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef, Mick Rix, called for a return to national pay bargaining.

But George Muir, Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies, described national pay bargaining as "out of the frying pan into the fire".