RAIL workers in the West Midlands will strike over seven weekends in the long-running fight to keep a guard on all train services, their union announced yesterday.

RMT members at West Midlands Trains will be withdraw their labour every Saturday from this weekend until December 28 over the company’s plans to abolish the safety-critical role of the train guard.

The union warns that management plans to deskill the guard’s role will endanger the travelling public and decrease accessibility on all rail services.