London: Thousands of commuters face 24-hour rail strikes during the festive period because of another pay and staff dispute.

More than 3,000 South West Trains (SWT) employees will be balloted next Wednesday on industrial action which could cause chaos over Christmas and the New Year.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) will declare the result on Monday, December 17, and union chiefs expect an overwhelming majority to back the strikes.

SWT carries nearly 400,000 passengers in and out of Waterloo station on a daily basis.

If the strikes go ahead, services will grind to a halt, affecting commuters across south west London and people travelling out of the capital for Christmas.

The RMT wants SWT guards to receive a pay raise of 7.6 per cent, equivalent to that received by train drivers.

A second ballot relates to disciplinary action taken on two RMT members, who the union claim have been made scapegoats for the strikes over the summer.

Philip Bialyk, the union representative for SWT, said: The offer that is on the table is no way near whats being offered to drivers. SWT trains undertook to treat everybody the same. Clearly thats not happening and we want it to happen.

The RMT must give seven days notice of any action, which means that the first stoppage could take place the following Monday Christmas Eve.

Tony Adams, chairman of the Kingston Area Travellers Association, said: Its only fair that the guards receive the same percentage rise as the drivers.

Clearly we need guards because they look after passengers. At the end of the day it is passengers who will benefit. If working conditions are better then the service will improve likewise.

SWT had made two pay offers to the unions, either a 3.8 per cent rise in exchange for higher productivity, or a four per cent rise with no strings attached. The RMT rejected both offers.

An SWT spokesman said the two staff members, Greg Tucker and Mick Skiggs, were disciplined over related incidents.

He added: We are more than happy to go to an independent body to decide the merits of the cases but the RMT just seems determined to call another ballot.

By.Steven Shukor

November 30, 2001 12:30