Rail staff vote for strike action

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More than 350 Silverlink railway workers have voted to strike in a row over pay.

Guards, retail and revenue staff voted by more than seven to one to take part in three 24-hour walkouts.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said staff rejected the 3.6% pay offer as too low and because it was less than offers made to other grades.

Silverlink, which runs services from London to the Midlands, said they will hold talks to try to resolve the issue.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today: "Our members have made it clear to Silverlink with a massive vote for strike action that they are not prepared to accept what amounts to a pay cut.

"If Silverlink's parent, National Express, can afford to pay out £50m in dividends to its shareholders on the back of £104m in profits, they can afford to offer their workforce a reasonable pay deal.

"If Silverlink want to avoid strike action they should acknowledge our members' anger, get real and sit down with us to negotiate a sensible pay deal."

Workers have voted to strike on 30 July, 13 August and 27 August.

A Silverlink spokesman said: "We will be talking with the RMT next week to try and resolve the issue."

Silverlink runs services between London, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton and Birmingham.