Date: 13/04/2017

Staff on Virgin Trains East Coast are to stage a 48-hour strike in a row over the role of guards and jobs, the RMT union has announced. The stoppage, on 28 and 29 April, follows recent strikes by three other train operators in rows over staffing. The union said it wanted 'explicit clarification' from Virgin on the future role of guards. Virgin said it planned to run a 'near-normal' timetable during the industrial action. The company, which operates services between London, north-east England and Scotland, stressed there would be no driver-only trains and changes to staff roles would have a 'zero impact on safety'.

External links

Double strike trouble for trains in North

BBC News

Union officials say they want "explicit clarification" on the future role of guards.

Related images

Virgin East Coast 43257 has just arrived at Kings Cross on the rear of the up Highland Chieftain from Inverness, on time at 15.51 after a 7 hour 56 minute journey.
Location: Kings Cross
Company: London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
13/04/2015 Andrew Wilson

The 0615 London Kings Cross - Edinburgh Waverley Virgin Trains East Coast service runs through Portobello East Junction on 7 September 2016. Vehicles of the former (?) Overhead Line Maintenance Train reside in the siding in the left background. The white lineside notice reads 'Network Rail Portobello Maintenance Delivery Unit'.
Location: Portobello Junction
Company: North British Railway
07/09/2016 John Furnevel

'Skyfall' DVT 82231 on a Virgin Trains East Coast service calling at York on 19 March 2015.
Location: York
Company: York and North Midland Railway
19/03/2015 Veronica Clibbery