A walkout by rail staff looked increasingly likely today after a second union backed strike action in a row over jobs.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at South Eastern Trains supported walkouts by more than eight to one.

The rail company, which operates in parts of East Sussex, plans to cut some ticket office opening hours or close them altogether, resulting in up to 100 job cuts.

The office at Hastings, which is usually open until 11.30pm, would close at 8pm on weekdays, 7pm on Saturdays and 6pm on Sundays.

There would also be new hours for stations in Battle, St Leonards Warrior Square and Robertsbridge, with many ticket offices closing in the early afternoon.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) have already backed walkouts by more than eight to one. Now the RMT has followed suit.

Its general secretary Bob Crow said: "The plans will leave stations severely understaffed or not staffed at all for long periods and are opposed by South Eastern Trains passengers, who have objected to the proposed cuts in unprecedented numbers and sent the company the clear message that they want to see more staff on stations, not fewer.

"Now our members have indicated by a huge margin that they are prepared to strike to defend their jobs and the service they provide.

"These proposals were foisted on our members without proper consultation, let alone agreement, and the company should now do the right thing and withdraw them."

Mr Crow said notice of strike dates will be served on the train company shortly following the vote by the union, which has 100 members involved in the dispute.

Moves to change ticket office operating hours in East Sussex have been resisted by Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch. He said a closed ticket office could lead to yobs congregating at the station in the evening and raise crime levels.

He has written to South Eastern Trains managing director Michael Holden, outlining his concerns and asking for a rethink.

The company has said staff affected by the proposed changes will be redeployed to other positions during quieter times. It said new ticket vending machines would still allow passengers to buy a full range of tickets but would enable the redeployment of 99 ticket office workers to "customer-facing positions".

Thursday, November 17, 2005