Thousands of rail workers were today being balloted on strike action over the role of guards on trains, while employees of the union for white collar workers in the travel and transport industry held a one-day strike against alleged unfair pay.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were being balloted over complaints that the safety duties of guards on trains were being watered down.

Guards in 24 companies were being asked if they wanted to take industrial action. Two rail firms, Thameslink and West Anglia Great Northern, are not involved in the dispute as their trains run without guards.

The union published a survey showing most of the 645 people surveyed said reducing the safety role of guards could have a negative impact on rail safety.

Meanwhile workers' representative Lorraine Byrne, of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), said its Bar Lane offices in York, where there were two full-time members of staff, would be closed today as part of national strike action. Workers say the strike is over a substantial pay increase awarded six months ago to the five most senior paid officials.

They claim there had been a reluctance to disclose to staff representatives the full findings of an independent pay report. Lorraine Byrne said: "Hopefully management will now fully understand the strength of feeling among staff and will act at once to resolve the issue."

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, May 29, 2001