Rail disruption 'could be caused by signal worker walkout'

Date: 14/12/2009

Disruption could be caused on rail services in Wales and the Marches area, following news railway signal workers in the region are to strike, according to reports.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said signal workers are to strike for six days, over a dispute concerning rosters at a new control centre which will see workers doing five shorter shifts in place of the three longer ones they currently work.

According to Network Rail, the new roster system would provide more productive hours for employees, but workers claim the proposed change is only for cost-saving purposes.

Network Rail denies there will be disruption to the service as additional staff will be brought in.

However, RMT claims those standing in for the striking signal workers have received just five hours of preparation, in comparison to the month's full training that is usually required.

Route director for Network Rail, Chris Rayner, said: "Safety will not be compromised - either in the arrangements for covering the strike or as part of the proposed roster that enables signallers to work shorter hours."