TRAIN passengers travelling to and from Swindon were met with a weekend of disruption as a strike by some First Great Western staff members took effect.

Members of the RMT union walked out at at midnight on Friday for 72 hours over a dispute regarding the introduction of a new fleet of trains.

Despite the industrial action, FGW said it was able to run 70 per cent of services over the weekend and looks to continue that as the action continues into today.

However, those trains which did run were crowded as people travelled to numerous bank holiday events.

Those with day passes to the Reading Festival had to set off earlier while some football fans travelling to Swindon Town’s game against Sheffield United at the County Ground also had to alter their plans.

A lot of people have criticised the RMT for taking the action this weekend when it would likely cause the most disruption.

However, union chiefs say the company is not listening to their concerns about safety or providing enough assurances about jobs.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Despite strenuous and continuing efforts by our negotiators we have not been able to secure the kind of progress we hoped for in the key areas of jobs, services and safety for us to reach an agreement.

“The fact remains that if it is good enough for East Coast, using the same trains, to meet the basic assurances sought by this trade union then it is good enough for FGW.

“We congratulate our members for their rock-solid support for the strike action last month and last weekend and we know that they remain united and determined as we continue with our campaign on these crucial issues.

“RMT remains available for talks.”

A FGW spokesman said: “The RMT says this is about protecting jobs, services and safety.

“But they’ve had a series of concessions on the table for over a month that won’t see a single member of train staff lose their jobs, means more services not less, and is based on a method of operating trains that has worked safely across the UK rail network for decades.

“So if those three issues are dealt with, you’ve got to ask what this is really about.

“It looks very likely that after this weekend the RMT will have once again unfairly disrupted our passengers, the economies of the communities we serve, and will have asked every one of their members to go without a week’s pay when they’ve already got what they asked for.”

For services on the final day of the strike visit firstgreatwestern.co.uk/strike