RAILWAY workers are preparing to ballot for the first national rail strike in a generation after accusing the Tories of playing “fast and loose” with workers’ pension schemes.

The RMT have begun strike ballot preparations after it said the government failed to offer “cast-iron assurances” to protect current pension arrangements.

The union is demanding that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and all train company operators do not impose reductions in future pension benefits or significantly increase member contributions.