Jarvis Rail and Fastline rail workers to strike

Rail union RMT has announced two 48 hour strikes of members working for Jarvis Rail and Fastline.

The move by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers comes in response to a refusal by the company to give guarantees on compulsory redundancies, which it claims leaves 200 staff at risk.

According to the union the threat to jobs was driven by Network Rail’s decision to defer track renewals work in a bid to save £3bn.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "These strikes are in direct response to the jobs massacre on the railways as the companies involved seek to protect profits at the expense of the workforce and the travelling public."

The first strike will start on 27 June, with the second due on 11 July.