RAIL strikes will take place on First Great Western trains later this month including over the August bank holiday weekend, the RMT union has said.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the strike was due to issues over jobs, services and safety with the introduction of the new Hitachi Intercity trains.

The proposed removal of the buffet car facilities on the new trains remains an unresolved issue as does the introduction of driver-only operated doors.

Union members, including drivers and guards, will walk out for 24 hours on Sunday August 23 and for 72 hours from Saturday August 29 to midnight on Bank Holiday Monday.

Maintenance workers will strike on August 29 and August 31.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Despite strenuous efforts by our negotiators we have not been able to secure the kind of progress required in the key areas of jobs, services and safety for us to reach an agreement. 

“As a result we have no option but to put further action on.

“The fact remains that if it is good enough for East Coast, using the same trains, to meet the very basic assurances sought by this trade union then it is good enough for First Great Western as well.”