Rail union votes to end strikes

Rail union leaders called off their campaign of 24-hour strikes after workers voted by 18,544 to 18,361 to accept assurances over jobs.

British Rail had promised there were no plans for compulsory redundancies during the next 'couple of years' and there would be no sackings because of contracting out. Jimmy Knapp, general secretary of the biggest rail union RMT, said: 'The proposals fall short of the union objectives, but have very positive aspects.' It was clear, however, that many employees were 'discontented and disaffected'.