East Midlands Trains strike dates confirmed

The company said it would run shuttle trains to connect with other services

Drivers at East Midlands Trains have announced a series of one-day strikes.

Drivers' union Aslef has voted for action over plans by the company to reduce pension fund contributions for both workers and the firm.

Bosses insisted the move would not affect pension benefits but the union said the calculations were unreliable.

The action, due to take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the first three weeks of May, is likely to disrupt services to London and Lincoln.

East Midlands Trains managing director, David Horne, said a recent valuation of the pension scheme had identified a surplus in payments.

'Cost-cutting'

He said: "The benefits at the end of their service are protected. So we are not talking at the moment about any reduction in pension benefits.

"This is a reduction because of the funding levels the scheme has achieved. Most people would see this as good news as we are talking about more money in take home pay."

An Aslef spokesman said: "East Midlands Trains is proposing to reduce its contributions into the scheme despite the turbulent economic climate which is likely to have reduced the fund's assets since the last valuation.

"The company's short term cost-cutting measures will have long term implications for all staff and their pensions."

Strikes are due to take place on 1, 3, 8, 10, 15 and 17 May.

The company said it would run an hourly service from Derby to London, and shuttle services from Nottingham to Leicester and Grantham where passengers could board other services.

Other destinations will have a replacement bus service.