Two separate ballots will begin on December 27 and are scheduled to close on January 10.

“Industrial relations for both guards and drivers have hit a serious low, but rather than try to deal sensibly with the various issues that affect their workforce the company has fanned the flames by using managers to guard and drive trains,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“Our reps have tried hard to avoid these disputes, but when the company adopts a confrontational style of management it can hardly complain when it results in confrontation.

“There are safety implications in using managers to undertake operational duties, not least because it is unclear what level of training they have received, and now we are being told that managers are going sick at an alarming rate because of the pressure.

“Our members are now telling us that they are angry with the company’s appalling behaviour and I am sure that their anger will be reflected in a decisive vote for action.

“FGW can end these disputes by talking seriously with us, but it must also agree to end what has become the routine use of managers to operate and guard trains,” Bob Crow said.

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For further information please contact Derek Kotz on 020 7529 8803 or 07939 595 092