More festive rail strikes planned

A SECOND group of rail workers could add to threatened Christmas travel chaos in a dispute over pay.

Employees on Virgin Trains West Coast are to stage a series of strikes this month and next.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said members working in ticket offices and on platforms from Glasgow to London Euston will walk out for 24 hours on six dates.

These are on December 15 and 22, and January 5, 8, 26 and 29.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union are striking on the same days, with both groups saying they want a pay deal similar to the one agreed with drivers.

Phil Whittingham, managing director for Virgin Trains on the West Coast, said: ‘The TSSA’s leadership is attempting to cause disruption when many will want to travel by train to spend time with loved ones.

‘We have explored a generous 3.6 per cent pay increase, however, the trade union’s leadership is insisting on 4 per cent, double the 2 per cent average increase seen across the UK this year.

‘We know how important it is for friends and families to get together over the festive season, so we will keep the majority of our trains running with fully trained staff onboard and at stations. We remain open to continuing talks with the TSSA.’

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said: ‘Our members are genuinely shocked and upset that the company is not treating them fairly.

‘They put in as hard a shift as anyone else within Virgin West Coast and expect pay justice.

‘Frankly, for the company to cherry-pick drivers for a pay deal that is better than the rest of their staff is not only insulting but terrible management.

‘Nobody wants to be on strike at Christmas time and nobody has to be if Richard Branson stops behaving like Scrooge and starts treating his workers fairly and equally.’