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More rail staff ballot for strike
5 Mar 2009Nearly 1,400 staff, including train drivers and engineers, working for Southeastern, the busiest commuter rail firm, are to ballot for strike action.
It brings the number of London commuter companies facing strikes to five in a dispute over job losses and working conditions.
Southeastern is cutting 350 jobs and there is a battle over staff conditions on planned high-speed commuter trains between Ashford and St Pancras International.
Stoppages could take place next month as the RMT, which ordered the ballot, expects overwhelming support for the strike call.
Reader views (5)
What a joke! If you ask any of them a question they don't know the answer and just shrug their shoulders. Am sick of them happy to take my money but never offering the service that I've paid for.
- Jk, Kent, 05/03/2009 16:12
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Dear commuters, rail companies are trying to cut costs by cutting staff, the very staff that you all say you want to see to make you feel safe.
The rail companies are not a train service anymore, they are investment opportunites for shareholders. Support train staff and the unions. Most of you earn a lot more than we do.
- John, Wapping, 05/03/2009 14:54
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Would not notiice teh difference cannot get on the first 3 trains thjat arrive anyway.
Anybody carried out a health and safety audit for the commutors when travelling on peak hour trains?
- Off The Rails, London, England, 05/03/2009 13:42
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Militant South Eastern at it again. It's not going to make a blind bit of difference and all they'll do is inconvenience the general public yet again. Joe public have no choice but to have to take a day's leave or lose a day's pay, because they can't get into work. It is difficult times for everyone when anyone can lose their job.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 05/03/2009 12:50
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Staff conditons! What about the commuters! Joke!
- Jo, Kent, 05/03/2009 12:29
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