RAIL workers in Wales warned transport bosses today that a planned strike ballot will cripple the rail network across the country.

Rail union TSSA is to ballot its members in fleet management at Transport for Wales (TfW) for strike action.

The union is in dispute with the company over so-called “bolt-ons” — additional payments covering shift work. 

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “What TfW is proposing for our members is unjust and unfair.

“They must have the same deal as those they are responsible for managing. 

“We appeal to the company and the Welsh government to act now to avert industrial action which would cripple the network.”

A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said: “We’ll continue to work collaboratively with our trade union partners to find a resolution as soon as possible.”

The Welsh government said it would not intervene in the dispute.

The union said the payments have been awarded to other staff outside fleet management, which means managers would miss out on benefits to pensionable pay.

The ballot will open on March 28 and conclude on April 18.