TRANSPORT union RMT accused Unipart Rail today of issuing baseless threats to sack employees for taking part in lawful strike action.

It comes after the manufacturer decided to derecognise the rail union at its Crewe site, prompting workers to vote overwhelmingly for industrial action.

RMT says that despite the lawful vote, the firm has issued threats that those standing on the picket line during Thursday’s planned strike could face the sack.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Unipart Rail’s threats to dismiss our members for exercising their democratic and legal right to strike is a disgrace and an attack on fundamental workers’ rights.

“We will not stand by while our members are bullied in this disgraceful manner. Unipart’s tactics only deepen our members’ resolve to fight for a secure and fair negotiated settlement.

“Any retribution against our members for exercising their rights will be met with the full force of RMT’s legal and industrial resources.”

A Unipart spokesperson said: “Unipart has taken the decision to move forward with one union representing colleagues at our Crewe service centre site, which we believe will work better for members covered by the Crewe collective bargaining unit agreement.

“As part of this process we ended voluntary recognition for the RMT union at the site, affecting a small number of colleagues who have unfortunately elected to take industrial action.”