BRITS were braced for yet more travel carnage today as thousands more workers prepared to vote on summer strike action.
More than 6,000 members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association could walk out on July 25 over a pay dispute.
If the ballot passes passengers will be hit with another wave of crippling action in militant bosses’ “summer of discontent”.
Next week the RMT union will bring the nation to a standstill by staging three days of train strikes.
And today the Transport Salaried Staffs Association announced it would hold a vote on more action next month.
The TSSA has previously announced strike ballots among its members at four rail companies – Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands and West Midlands Trains.
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Union boss Manuel Cortes warned: “We could be seeing a summer of discontent across our railways if Network Rail don’t see sense and come to the table to face the concerns of their staff.”
Network Rail hit back: “Now is not for time for the TSSA to be jumping on the RMT ‘strike bandwagon’.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Strikes should always be the last resort, not the first, so it is hugely disappointing and premature that the TSSA is balloting for industrial action when talks have only just begun.
“Taxpayers across the country contributed £16 billion, or £600 per household, to keep our railways running throughout the pandemic.
“The railway is still on financial life support, with passenger numbers 25% down and anything that drives away even more of them puts services and jobs at risk.
“Train travel for millions more people is now a choice, not a necessity. Strikes stop our customers choosing rail, and they might never return.
“We urge the TSSA to reconsider and come to industry talks, so we can find a solution that delivers for workers, passengers and taxpayers alike.”
