Train conductors strike delayed

Talks will be held over the weekend aimed at averting the action

A strike by 100 conductors on London Midland trains has been postponed for a week, a union has announced.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said its members will now walk out for 48 hours on 5 and 6 April.

The union also said that fresh talks will be held in a bid to avert the planned action.

The planned strike, in a dispute over Sunday working for former Silverlink staff, has been delayed by a "legal wrangle", according to the RMT.

Two other 48-hour strikes have already been held.

A spokesman for the RMT said the delay stems from a dispute between the union and the employer over whether or not sufficient notification of details of the strike were given to London Midland on time.

Rather than battle over the technicality, the union opted to postpone the strike.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "Rather than using anti-union laws to try to stymie their democratic right to strike, the company should be negotiating with us to settle it, and tomorrow's talks are a welcome development."

The strike is due to begin at 0001 on 5 April and conclude at midnight on 6 April.

London Midland brought in managers to cover for conductors in earlier stoppages, although trains have been delayed or cancelled during past strikes.