UNIONS RMT and Unite are to take joint strike action over pay at train maintenance firm Hitachi.

They will walk out for five days at depots at Craigentinny in Scotland, Bounds Green in London and Doncaster in South Yorkshire on Saturday January 27.

The unions said Hitachi had proposed a 6 per cent pay increase — below inflation at the time — while last year it made a profit of over £100 million. 

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This sustained action by Hitachi Rail workers will send a clear message to the company that we will not rest until we get a negotiated settlement on pay, that rewards our members sufficiently.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hitachi is making enormous profits in Britain and yet it is trying to short change our members with this real-terms pay cut.

“Hitachi needs to know our members won’t stand for such penny pinching as they head to the picket line.” 

Hitachi has been contacted for comment.