Rail strike 'to cause disruption'

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A union has warned of "severe disruption" to Scotland's rail network after hundreds of signallers voted to stage two 24-hour strikes.

Almost 450 members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out from noon on 7 October and again from noon on 9 October.

The union said the move was the result of a breakdown in industrial relations.

A ban on overtime and rest-day working will also start on October 7, the union confirmed.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Our reps have spent the last two years trying to get Network Rail in Scotland to abide by agreements on transfers and rostering and our members have made it clear that they have had enough.

"Our team sat down with Network Rail late last week but the company failed to give us the assurances we need that it would abide by our existing promotion, transfer and resettlement agreement and the national rostering principles.

"Our members are determined to put a stop to a practice that undermines their working conditions and any chance of a healthy work-life balance."

Mr Crow said Network Rail it could still avoid strike action if it observed agreements "all the time, and not just when NR's Scotland route management sees fit."

A strike over pay and conditions held by 12,000 rail maintenance workers across England, Scotland and Wales in July did not disrupt passenger services, Network Rail claimed.