Guards working for Oxfordshire rail operator First Great Western are set to go on strike later this month, the RMT union said tonight.

The union's executive has called a 48-hour strike, starting at one minute past midnight on Sunday, January 20, after the 500 guards voted in favour of action in a ballot held over what the RMT described as "a total breakdown in industrial relations".

However, talks between the union and FGW managers to try to solve the dispute are due to take place tomorrow.

A walkout could cripple much of the company's network, including commuter services between Oxford, Didcot Parkway and London and trains on the Cotswold Line through west Oxfordshire.

The guards would return to work on Tuesday, January 22, if the strike goes ahead.

In a statement issued earlier today, after the vote in favour of a strike was announced, FGW said it was "very disappointed" and wanted to work with the union to end the row.

About 100 FGW train drivers who are members of the RMT also voted to back strike action, but they are not being called out at present.

And the union said tonight it is to ballot another 1,500 members working for the firm over the dispute.

An FGW spokesman said: "We are asking the RMT to keep talking, and want to keep working with the union. We are very open to finding a realistic solution to issues the RMT raises.


"At the heart of this dispute is Sunday working. We believe RMT members have a commitment to work some Sundays. However the RMT believe guards can choose not to attend on Sundays."

The union is also angry about the use of managers to operate some trains, due to staff shortages. FGW insisted this was done "as a last resort" and added: "The decision to keep services going because staff are unavailable is only taken when all other possibilities have been exhausted. We will not compromise safety."

Train drivers at FGW who are members of the Aslef union also voted by three to one today in favour of strikes, but because of what it described as "significant progress" in negotiations with FGW, Aslef has decided against setting a date for industrial action by its 800 members for the time being.

The union's district organiser, Stan Moran, said: "This is in order to allow every opportunity for the dispute to be settled to the satisfaction of both sides."

Mr Moran said more talks would be held with FGW managers next week.