ORR concerned at restructuring

摘要

The possibility of a national strike by Network Rail's 13 000 maintenance staff looms as RMT announced on March 11 that 77% of members had voted for industrial action. NR is intending to introduce new procedures next month 'which include the sacking of 1 500 frontline maintenance workers', according to RMT General Secretary Bob Crow.rnThe union's executive was due to meet on March 19 to discuss its next steps in the dispute. 'RMT remains available for talks with Network Rail', said Crow, 'and we would hope that in light of the overwhelming mandate for action delivered by our members today that the Chairman will respond to our request for meaningful discussions aimed at ensuring that the staffing levels required to deliver a safe rail system are maintained'.