Talks aimed at averting rail strike

3:24am Wednesday 8th October 2008

Union leaders and rail bosses are to meet for fresh talks as the first strike on Scotland`s train network draws to a close.

The 24-hour walkout by Network Rail signallers over staffing rosters began at noon on Tuesday, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of journeys.

Commuters are set to endure more travel chaos in the rush-hour on Wednesday morning.

A second one-day strike planned to begin on Thursday at noon will have a similar effect, extending the effect of the walkouts over four days.

The talks between the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Network Rail are aimed at averting the second strike.

The negotiations are expected to take place in Glasgow from around 2pm - just after the first strike ends - and will be mediated by conciliation service Acas.

The RMT revealed on Tuesday night they were bringing a "new formula" to the table in a bid to break the deadlock but did not disclose more details.

Network Rail has called on the union to put off Thursday`s strike while talks are taking place.

The RMT said Network Rail wants to make changes to rostered hours at short notice and is angry about the issue of transfers.

Network Rail disputes the accusation about rosters and says it has no intention of changing the established principle that rostered hours are binding.

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