A ballot of rail workers over possible industrial action is under way.
Workers at South Eastern Trains (SET) are campaigning against a decision by managers to cut ticket office opening hours or sacrifice 100 jobs by closing counters altogether. The company, which runs services between Hastings and Charing Cross in London, has been criticised for cutbacks on station staff which workers say is causing massive queues for travellers.
The two-week ballot got under way yesterday. It involves around 400 union members from the Transport Salaried Staff Association and follows more than 3,000 objections to changes from a public consultation.
Gerry Doherty, TSSA general secretary, said: "Cuts will result in a worsening service for passengers as they will have to queue for longer - machines will break down or run out of tickets."
Thursday, October 27, 2005
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