MEMBERS OF Britain’s biggest rail union at two major commuter train-operating companies are to strike for 24 hours next Monday (March 30) in separate disputes over jobs.

Around 1,500 RMT members at First Capital Connect and National Express East Anglia will not book on for shifts scheduled to start between 00:01 and 23:59 on Monday March 30 after the two companies failed to withdraw job cuts or guarantee no compulsory redundancies.

“Both these franchises are seeking to slash jobs solely to maintain profits and dividends, and our members at both have voted decisively for action to defend those jobs,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“It is only five years since National Express promised better booking office facilities, a bright future for full on-board catering on Norwich trains, and the recruitment of more customer-facing staff on the East Anglia franchise.

“Now our members – and the public they serve – are faced with the prospect of 300 job losses, cuts to services and the creeping casualisation of professional railway jobs with the use of agency and contract labour.

“Yet the National Express empire last year saw its UK rail profits jump by 28 per cent – contributing to a £60 million payout to shareholders.

“First Capital Connect is determined to slash booking office opening times at more than 40 stations by 800 hours a week, despite revenue growth of eight per cent and a £55 million dividend.

“Both these franchises are run by massive transport groups that have drained tens of millions from the railway industry, and which have boasted growing revenues profits, growing profits and growing dividends.

“Both of them also see their staff as just another cost that can be cut to keep profits up and shareholders happy.

“Both can avoid strike action if they shelve these unnecessary job cuts, guarantee that there will be no forced job losses and talk to us positively about the future,” Bob Crow said.

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Notes to editors: RMT members at First Capital Connect voted by more than three to one to strike, and at National Express East Anglia by more than two to one, after the employers refused to provide unequivocal assurances that there would be no compulsory redundancies.