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'Little' strike impact on trains 'Little' strike impact on trains
(about 1 hour later)
A strike by 12,000 rail maintenance workers over pay has had little impact on train services, Network Rail says.A strike by 12,000 rail maintenance workers over pay has had little impact on train services, Network Rail says.
NR said a line fault, which saw delays between York and Doncaster, may have taken "slightly longer" to fix.NR said a line fault, which saw delays between York and Doncaster, may have taken "slightly longer" to fix.
But it said contingency plans were in place and it was able to run a normal service on all other lines. But it said contingency plans had been in place and it was able to run a normal service on all other lines.
The RMT union, whose members took part in the 18-hour walkout which ended at 1800 BST, had said it would have a "cumulative effect" on services.The RMT union, whose members took part in the 18-hour walkout which ended at 1800 BST, had said it would have a "cumulative effect" on services.
It said its last strike in June had "wiped out Network Rail's planned weekend maintenance".It said its last strike in June had "wiped out Network Rail's planned weekend maintenance".
Engineering works were listed to take place at more than 20 locations across the UK on Saturday and Sunday.Engineering works were listed to take place at more than 20 locations across the UK on Saturday and Sunday.
'Cost-cutting attack''Cost-cutting attack'
The maintenance staff walked out at 1200 BST on Saturday in a dispute over the harmonisation of pay and conditions.The maintenance staff walked out at 1200 BST on Saturday in a dispute over the harmonisation of pay and conditions.
It is clear that the company is still trying to use what should be talks about harmonisation as a cost-cutting attack on jobs Bob Crow RMT general secretaryIt is clear that the company is still trying to use what should be talks about harmonisation as a cost-cutting attack on jobs Bob Crow RMT general secretary
RMT members also pledged not to undertake any overtime or on-call work between 0600 BST on Saturday to 0600 BST on Monday.RMT members also pledged not to undertake any overtime or on-call work between 0600 BST on Saturday to 0600 BST on Monday.
A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "We have had contingency plans in place for this strike for some time...A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "We have had contingency plans in place for this strike for some time...
"Passengers will not have seen a difference in the train service we were able to offer.""Passengers will not have seen a difference in the train service we were able to offer."
She added there had been a problem with overhead lines on the East Coast Mainline service which may have taken slightly longer than usual to clear.She added there had been a problem with overhead lines on the East Coast Mainline service which may have taken slightly longer than usual to clear.
On Saturday, Network Rail said only about 2,000 of those striking would have been working that day, with a third of that number "involved in time-sensitive duties".On Saturday, Network Rail said only about 2,000 of those striking would have been working that day, with a third of that number "involved in time-sensitive duties".
The RMT has accused NR chiefs of "scuppering" the progress being made on pay talks.The RMT has accused NR chiefs of "scuppering" the progress being made on pay talks.
"We had hoped that fresh talks after our first strike would make some progress, but it is clear that the company is still trying to use what should be talks about harmonisation as a cost-cutting attack on jobs and conditions," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said."We had hoped that fresh talks after our first strike would make some progress, but it is clear that the company is still trying to use what should be talks about harmonisation as a cost-cutting attack on jobs and conditions," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said.
Another union involved in the same dispute, Unite, was not involved in the action.Another union involved in the same dispute, Unite, was not involved in the action.