This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7293500.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Strike signals Easter rail misery | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Commuters on the East Coast Mainline whose journeys have been disrupted by gales now face travel chaos over Easter as workers plan strike action. | |
The track between York and Doncaster has been blocked by fallen power lines brought down in this week's high winds. | |
Train operators were running reduced services between Scotland and York, and between Leeds and London. | |
Services will be hit again as workers in York stage a five-day strike from next Wednesday in a row over job cuts. | |
The dispute involves electrical workers at a Network Rail control room in York which supplies power to the whole East Coast Mainline | |
The Rail and Maritime Union (RMT) members will not work any shifts between Wednesday evening and Easter Monday morning. | |
Altered service | |
However, Network Rail said some services would continue despite the action. | |
The union said the action was in protest at a scheme to cut the number of jobs at the North Yorkshire site from 18 to 12 and comes after a vote in favour of industrial action. | |
General Secretary Bob Crow said the action was because of "drastic cuts and safety issues". | |
Network Rail said the walk out was "premature" and East coast mainline services would not be badly hit. | |
The damage to power lines on the route happened on Wednesday afternoon, but persistently high winds made it too dangerous for engineers to begin repairs. | |
Work was under way on Thursday and was expected to be completed by about 1600 GMT. |