Conductors go on 48-hour strike

The strike will begin from midnight on Sunday

Conductors on London Midland trains will walk out for 48 hours, a union has announced.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) members voted to strike after fresh talks with the management failed to resolve the issue of Sunday working.

The union said its members would begin their strike from midnight on Sunday.

London Midland called the strike "completely unnecessary". It said services between Northampton and London Euston would be affected.

The company said it planned to run about 80% of its services despite the strike.

'Pointless action'

The RMT claims London Midland, which runs trains between London Euston and Birmingham, has forced managers to cover for conductors on Sundays.

London Midland previously rejected the union's claim it was bullying managers.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "Our members have made it clear that the company's latest offer could not be accepted because it would have forced Sunday working."

London Midland's managing director Stephen Banaghan said: "We're extremely disappointed and believe this action is pointless and shows a complete disregard for passengers."

Mr Banaghan added that the company had put forward a new offer to the RMT on 27 March but he said the union went back to its "negative approach".

The RMT accused the company of refusing to honour long-standing agreements that former Silverlink staff could opt out of working on Sundays, but London Midland maintains it did not breach agreement with workers.

Union members at Bletchley, Watford and Northampton will go on strike.

The RMT has already held two other 48-hour strikes over the issue.