London commuters face more train strike misery as major rail operator staff set to walk out

London commuters are facing more strike disruption after workers at a major rail operator voted to walk out.

Staff at Great Western Railway (GWR) have backed strike action in a dispute over flexible working arrangements, pay and pensions.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) working in areas including rostering, service delivery and performance strategy are involved in the row.

Separate votes in different areas of the business showed strong support for strikes and other forms of industrial action, the union said.

It has not yet set dates for strikes.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced a new wave of walkouts in a row with Transport for London (TfL) over a voluntary four-day week for Tube drivers.

Tube strike dates announced by RMT

Thursday, November 26

Thursday, December 17

Saturday, December 19

Monday, January 4

Wednesday, January 6

Wednesday, February 17

Tuesday, February 23

Thursday, February 25

GWR runs services in and out of London Paddington linking the capital to the South West, Wales and the South.

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “Strike action and action short of a strike, which will have a real impact on services at GWR, are now inevitable unless the company addresses these perfectly legitimate demands.

“It’s in no way reasonable for our members to suffer any financial hardship for doing shift work, which in itself runs the increased risk of physical and mental impairment.

“Likewise, for clerical grades, it’s simply not acceptable that they see their workloads increase without that reflecting both grading and pay.

“Our union only uses strike action as a last resort so the ball is very much in GWR’s court.

“We stand ready to get back around the table and talk at any time.”