TransPennine trains strike ballot

Train drivers at the First TransPennine Express firm are balloting for strikes over pay. Their RMT union is also planning to ballot workers in other grades in the dispute.

The firm has refused to raise its offer of a 2.2 percent increase—less than half the rate of inflation and so effectively a pay cut.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said, “First Group is generating massive profits and dividends for its shareholders off the hard work of its staff.”