Rail staff in strike threat

Mar 28 2009 By Kat Keogh

RAILWAY ticketing staff across the country could take strike action amid claims that a Birmingham rail manager was sacked hours after applying to join a union.

Transport workers belonging to the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) are set to vote on whether to take action on May Day Bank Holiday.

If agreed, the TSSA say that it could mean that passengers travelling on routes managed by CrossCountry Trains would travel “for free” as trains would continue to run even if ticket offices were closed.

But CrossCountry managing director Andy Cooper branded the union’s allegations “bizarre” and said the termination of the manager’s contract was “carried out in line with agreed procedures”.

The TSSA claim that the manager, who worked at CrossCountry’s Birmingham headquarters, was sacked within 24 hours of downloading an application form for the TSSA, which is the UK’s second largest rail union.

The union said the man was sacked “without any written explanation” despite having two more months left to run of his six month probation period.

Mr Cooper added that there was “not a shred of evidence” to support the TSSA’s claims.

“The decision to terminate the contract is subject to appeal and therefore it would inappropriate to discuss the case further,” he said.