London Overground strike over 'lethal' job loss plans

London Overground guards have voted in favour of strike action over threats to 130 jobs.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said members were balloted after Transport for London (TFL) announced plans for driver-only trains.

The plans mean guards would no longer travel on the north and west London routes and Gospel Oak to Barking.

Peter Austin, from London Overground Rail Operations Limited (Lorol) said alternative employment would be found.

'Disappointed by result'

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT recognises that this lethal proposal has been brought about as result of the 12.5% cut in TfL funding announced in George Osborne's Comprehensive Spending Review.

"These are the very same staff who have been praised for safely evacuating passengers from emergency situations and who are the eyes and ears of the service at a time of growing violence and thefts on our trains."

RMT said it would now consider its course of action.

Mr Austin from Lorol said he was "disappointed by the result".

He said: "We believe industrial action is unnecessary.

"Lorol continues to give the RMT assurances on employing conductors in alternative customer service roles and offering a generous voluntary redundancy package to those who want it."

Lorol added that East London routes and Watford to Euston services already operated without guards on board.