Olympic rail strike hits the buffers

Published on 17/07/2012 00:21

A UNION has called off a ballot, which could have led to strikes by railway workers during the Olympics, after a plea from the government.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association was balloting 500 members on Virgin Trains over the suspension of a union rep, with 26 July pencilled in as the start of 24-hour walkouts.

General secretary Manuel Cortes said: “We have considered very carefully what the Transport Secretary [Justine Greening] said when we met her two weeks ago and have decided that the country wants to see a fully operational and safe transport system during the course of this showpiece event when the eyes of the world will be on Britain. We want to lay our part in that. I would also like to thank our Virgin members for their backing for their colleague.”