Transport Salaried Staffs Association rail union calls off strike ballot

A union has called off a ballot which could have led to strikes by railway workers during the Olympics after a Government plea for the Games not to be disrupted by industrial action.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association was balloting 500 members on Virgin Trains over the suspension of a union rep, with July 26 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 play our part in that. I would also like to thank our Virgin members for their backing for their colleague which has led to new talks which will now hopefully produce a solution to this."

Fresh talks over the dispute will be held later this week.

PA