Strike threat after RMT members vote on action

Another train company is facing the threat of industrial action after the biggest rail union said it will ballot its members for strikes in a row over jobs and working conditions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Virgin East Coast will start voting next week on whether to launch a campaign of action.

The union said the dispute has been brewing for months, accusing the company of trying to “bulldoze through” cost-cutting measures which would “decimate” jobs.

The ballot result is due on August 9.

The union is also embroiled in industrial disputes at Southern Rail and ScotRail.