RAIL workers in East Anglia are to stage four 48-hour strikes in a dispute over pay and conditions, it has been announced today.

RAIL workers in East Anglia are to stage four 48-hour strikes in a dispute over pay and conditions, it has been announced today.

The strikes, by National Express East Anglia workers, could cause major disruptions to services and timetables.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and ASLEF, the train drivers' union, said their members will walk out from July 30, August 6, August 13 and August 20.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "RMT are in no doubt that the failure to make any kind of meaningful pay offer to staff on National Express East Anglia is all about the company trying to milk the franchises that they have left, fatten up their profits and make their staff pay for a crisis which was cooked up in the boardroom by senior managers who have now jumped ship.

"RMT members are not prepared to be the victims of the National Express franchise chaos and they are determined to fight for a decent pay rise and for decent working conditions.

"This company has made half a billion in profits out of our members over the past decade, it's a scandal that they are offering their staff peanuts in return."

A National Express East Anglia spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed that the ASLEF and RMT unions have called a series of strikes over their salary demands, despite lengthy negotiations where we have offered the unions a salary increase above the rate of inflation.

“In the present economic environment - where many companies are freezing pay at current levels - we believe the offers we have made are both realistic and appropriate.

“Strike action is not the solution and it will only result in difficult times for our customers. We are available at any time for constructive discussions with the unions to find a resolution to this year's pay award."