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From Western Daily PRess
TRAINS STRIKE TO HIT WEST 22 september from the Western Daily Press
Train drivers at a West-based rail company confirmed yesterday they will stage three 24-hour strikes in a dispute over hours.
Drivers at Swindon-based First Great Western say they will walk out in a bid to demonstrate their intent to work a four-day week. Union leaders warned that the move would cripple services between the West and London, leaving tens of thousands of commuters struggling to find alternative transport.
Hundreds of members of Aslef at First Great Western will down tools on October 3, 11 and 19 as part of a campaign for a four-day working week.
The union said the action will halt services into London's Paddington station from Devon and Cornwall, Bristol and South Wales.
Aslef said drivers are prepared to work longer shifts to accommodate a shorter week and accused the company of refusing to negotiate.
Meanwhile, West passengers were urged yesterday to check train times before travelling this weekend because of major engineering work on First Great Western routes.
Network Rail is carrying out engineering work between St Austell and Penzance.[/url]
Trains Strike To Hit West
Good news! - this has now been called off!
From BBC News Pointswest
Rail strikes dropped after talks
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4289690.stm
Planned strikes by train drivers at First Great Western have been called off after talks between the company and the union Aslef.
Three 24-hour strikes planned for 3, 11 and 19 October have been suspended.
Union members at the Swindon-based company want to move to a four-day week - a practice the union has said has been adopted elsewhere.
The company will now introduce an average of 14 rest days every eight weeks from the start of December.
Aslef added that if First wins the Greater Western franchise, it will aim to introduce 104 rest days per year.
The union's regional secretary Stan Moran is said to be "satisfied" with the deal.
From BBC News Pointswest
Rail strikes dropped after talks
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4289690.stm
Planned strikes by train drivers at First Great Western have been called off after talks between the company and the union Aslef.
Three 24-hour strikes planned for 3, 11 and 19 October have been suspended.
Union members at the Swindon-based company want to move to a four-day week - a practice the union has said has been adopted elsewhere.
The company will now introduce an average of 14 rest days every eight weeks from the start of December.
Aslef added that if First wins the Greater Western franchise, it will aim to introduce 104 rest days per year.
The union's regional secretary Stan Moran is said to be "satisfied" with the deal.