STRIKES planned to disrupt rail services during the bank holiday weekend are still set to go ahead after union bosses said talks so far had not been successful.
The rail workers of The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are set to strike on Saturday, August 29, Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31, over changes to services that First Great Western is preparing to make.
It is being timed to coincide with the bank holiday weekend, when scores of families are expected travel.
The firm has been locked in talks with union bosses, with the long-running dispute centred over plans to introduce new Hitachi inter-city trains.
First Great Western has said they will improve passenger facilities and allow more frequent services, but there are concerns they could threaten guard jobs and see buffet carriages removed.
Talks were reported to have taken place for most of yesterday, but this afternoon an RMT spokesman told the Oxford Mail: “The talks are ongoing, but we have not made enough progress to enable any change to the situation.
“The action remains on.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel