Virgin trains declined to comment on the accusation but said it would run a full timetable in the advent of any RMT strike action.
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In addition almost 90% voted in favour of industrial action short of a strike.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT will not sit back while almost 200 members’ jobs are under threat and while conditions and safety are put at risk”.
The RMT is calling for strict adherence to redeployment and protection agreements, no compulsory redundancies, protected rates of pay and a safety-critical member of staff on every train, but says assurances on these and related matters have not been forthcoming. It may need to cancel one or two trains but passengers would be able to travel on later ones, the company said.
“The changes we are making are part of the customer-centric revolution we have planned for the east coast”. We are prepared to meet them directly or through Acas any time, any place, anywhere to let common sense prevail and give our customers back their trains and give them the service they expect.
The RMT said the strike action would take place in two blocks over two weekends, from 2301 GMT on Aug. 12 to 2259 GMT on Aug. 15, and from 2301 GMT on Aug. 27 to 2259 GMT on Aug. 29.
It wasn’t immediately clear what impact the strike would have on Eurostar’s operations.
Meanwhile Eurostar RMT members will also strike, the RMT has confirmed.
The union said a deal was being discussed based on an offer made last week by ScotRail in a similar dispute which led to the suspension of strikes.
“We were just getting into the detailed wording when suddenly the plug was pulled and our legs were kicked from under us”.
“It’s now time for Eurostar to come to the negotiating table with a set of proposals that honours our agreements and guarantees our members a genuine work-life balance”.
A spokesman for the company said: “We are aware of the plans for strike action and our focus has been seeking a joint resolution whilst planning to provide a good service for our customers”.
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“The Government has been working to modernise the railways with new trains, stations and routes”.
