MOSCOW (Sputnik) – According to the organizers of the strike, the reason for the industrial action is the introduction of new Hitachi inter-city trains that it is thought could lead to job cuts and have a negative impact on the level of services and passenger safety.
"Despite strenuous efforts by our negotiators, we have not been able to secure the kind of progress required in the key areas of jobs, services and safety for us to reach an agreement. As a result we have no option but to put further action on," RMT General Secretary Mick Cash was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the union’s website.
The first Hitachi trains are expected to start running on the Great Western main line from 2017 and the East Coast main line in 2018.
They will be provided by Hitachi Rail Europe to replace the 40-year-old high speed diesel-powered trains currently in service on the UK railway network.
