COMMUTERS can expect a miserable start to the new year as strike action threatens to halt South West Trains.
More than 2,000 members of the National Union of Rail and Maritime Transport Workers (RMT) at SWT look set to strike for four days following an overwhelming "yes" vote for industrial action over parity of pay and conditions.
The four 24-hour strikes are planned for January 3 and 4, and January 7 and 8.
The strike decision follows a three-to-one vote for industrial action in a 70 per cent turnout from all members at the company, who are said to be "incensed" at SWT's decision to pay drivers twice as much as other employees.
"Our members have stated loud and clear that they expect equal treatment across the board," said acting general secretary of the union, Vernon Hince. "All we are demanding is a fair deal for all staff.
"Why should non-driver employees be treated less favourably when they work every bit as hard and are equally loyal?"
In a statement following the announcement, SWT said: "We felt that by offering independent arbitration on the pay issue we were suggesting a feasible way forward which would have allowed the RMT to make its case without inconveniencing our passengers.
"It has chosen once again to go down the route of maximum disruption."
The original offer for guards and station staff had been a 3.8 per cent pay rise with a further increase based on productivity, but while SWT had believed the pay deal to be "very fair" it had been "flatly rejected" by workers.
This offer had been upped to a four per cent "no strings attached" increase and an offer to go to independent arbitration. But this too was rejected by the RMT.