A ballot for action delivered a two-to-one majority in support of a strike which will run from 00.01 hrs on Monday December 14 through to 23.59 hrs on Saturday December 19.
The action will involve RMT signalling grades members at the following NR signalling locations in the Wales and Marches Operations Area; the new South Wales Control Centre, Newport panel, Vale of Glamorgan (Barry Box, Barry Relief, Aberthaw Box, Cowbridge Road Box), Rhymney Valley (Heath Junction, Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed), Cardiff panel and Port Talbot panel.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“Our members are furious at the attempt to bulldoze through rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre which we believe are all about saving money and which unilaterally rip up existing agreements. Their support for strike action in this ballot shows just how determined they are to force a management rethink.
“RMT maintains that the existing 12 hour roster is tried and tested and that the 8 hour roster that Network Rail are trying to impose at the new South Wales Control Centre when it opens in January will have damaging consequences.
“We remain available for talks and would urge Network Rail to get back around the table to negotiate a settlement to this dispute.”
A strike support meeting has been arranged for Thursday the 10th of December at the Cardiff Bus and Transport Club on Tudor Road, Cardiff, starting at 18.00 hours. All members are urged to attend to show their support to our Signaller colleagues, and in particular Signaller members themselves are encouraged to attend to show Network rail that they resolutely refuse to be bullied into capitualtion by an arrogant management who think they can ignore agreed rostering procedures.
Cardiff Rail Branch Secretary, Greg Harrison, said:
"Members of this, and other Branches in South Wales, have shown the strongest resolve in balloting for strike action in the face of a heavy-handed management approach to their conditions and agreements. I will be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Signaller members on the picket lines in South Wales next week, and I urge all RMT members to join me and show the Signallers that the support for their fight comes from all grades on the railway, and send a clear message to Network Rail management that bully-boy tactics have no place in this industry."
Note to editors: For up-to-the-minute news on the dispute, please call the RMT National Press Officer Geoff Martin on 0207 255 9146 (office) or 07831 465 103 (mobile), or Cardiff Rail Branch Secretary Greg Harrison on 07872 069462 (mobile) or 029 2031 6779 (home).