Rail workers back strike action

South Eastern Trains has 178 stations, not all of them manned

Rail staff have backed strike action in a row over ticket office cuts affecting 99 jobs at South Eastern Trains (SET).

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association said on Wednesday that 84% of 310 voters called for action.

"The last thing our members want to do is go on strike, but they are sick of being treated with contempt," general secretary Gerry Doherty said.

SET has said ticket machines would be used and staff redeployed. The union and SET are holding talks on Thursday.

A date for the strike has not yet been set.

It makes sense to close ticket offices during quiet periods South Eastern Trains

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) is also balloting members at SET for industrial action.

SET wants to reduce some ticket office opening hours at rail stations in the South East and London, or close them altogether.

An SET spokesman said last month: "We're actually increasing jobs, and just using them in a different way.

"New technology makes it easier for people to buy tickets, so it makes sense to close ticket offices during quiet periods."

SET has 178 stations, not all of which are manned.

'Getting better'

The RMT has renewed calls for SET to be kept in public hands rather than being "re-privatised".

The franchise was taken away from Connex two years ago and has been run by the public sector since.

General secretary Bob Crow said: "Since Connex was booted off South Eastern Trains its services have been getting steadily better and there are 500 more staff around, yet the operation is costing taxpayers £1m less."

RMT members and officials were lobbying commuters at London's Cannon Street station on Wednesday to seek support for their campaign.