Progress made in London Midland strike talks

STRIKE action by London Midland workers seems less likely this morning after progress was made in talks between the company and trade union the RMT.

The RMT had warned a ballot of its members could take place by the end of this week but now it seems less likely that ballot will happen, according to a report on the BBC website.

Talks have been taking place since the train operator announced in March that 150 jobs are to go.

RMT regional organiser Ken Usher said: “We have had a meeting and some progress has been made.

“It means we are not pressing the button on the dispute today but that may change depending on what happens.”

A London Midland spokesman said: “We have said all along we want to work with the trade unions and that is what we are committed to doing.” 

A further meeting between London Midland and the RMT will take place on Wednesday.

The union is asking for assurances there will be no compulsory redundancies.

London Midland has said most of the job losses will be in its Birmingham head office and no frontline positions will be cut.

It has also said the cuts will not affect services.

But its passengers have faced disruption in recent times. The firm was hit by strike action earlier this year and in the past driver shortages have led to cancelled or delayed services.

Between October and the end of December 2012 almost 1,000 London Midland trains were disrupted due to driver shortages.