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Page last updated at 13:27 GMT, Monday, 9 November 2009

More rail cancellations expected

First Capital Connect train
Around 50 Thameslink trains were cancelled and more are "anticipated"

More than 50 Thameslink trains have been cancelled on the Bedford to Brighton line.

Operator First Capital Connect (FCC) said further cancellations were "anticipated" as drivers are choosing not to work voluntary overtime.

Bob Crow, General Secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said: "This is simply staff exercising their contractual right not to work".

FCC said services were overcrowded on Monday as buses had not been put on.

Great Northern Route

Drivers on FCC's other route, Great Northern, chose not to work on Sunday.

The service from King's Lynn and Peterborough into London King's Cross did not run although buses were laid on.

Pay offer
April '09 - March '10 - pay freeze
April '10 - March '11 - 3%
April '10 - £200 lump sum

FCC said "early indications" were that cancellations on their Great Northern route next Sunday may not be necessary.

Three rail unions: RMT, Aslef and Tssa, are considering a pay offer made on Friday.

If rejected, union members will be balloted on strike action.

FCC said that drivers were choosing not to work overtime while the pay dispute goes on.

Aslef said the company had been running its weekend service recently on what it called "a lot of goodwill".



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