A UNION boss has warned that further industrial action could be on the horizon if job loss fears are not put to rest.

RMT union general secretary Mick Cash has said that if Great Western Railway does not provide them with assurances of job security for on-board train guards and buffet car staff then members will have no other option but to carry out industrial action.

The on-going dispute surrounds the introduction of the new high-speed electric trains expected on the GWR main line from as early as 2017. Unlike the ageing trains currently serving the region, the new Hitachi train sets will not feature a buffet car, while control of the electric doors will be held by the driver, sparking fears of redundancy for train guards.

Writing to members Mr Cash said: “I would like to assure you that I have given this matter my full attention and I have again written to GWR requesting an urgent meeting to discuss all the Intercity Express Programme issues.

“Furthermore, I have expressed, in no uncertain terms, the union’s distaste at the lack of care and respect being shown towards our affected members by not agreeing a suitable date for the joint meeting to be held. This is a disgraceful way to treat a skilled and loyal workforce who has given many years of service to the company and provided an excellent service to the general public.

“Should GWR fail to provide the RMT with the assurances we seek over the major issues at the heart of this dispute then further industrial action will be taken.”

Mr Cash claims his requests for a meeting with GWR bosses have gone unanswered. In an open letter to Great Western Railway managing director Mark Hopwood Mr Cash said: “This issue is of the utmost concern to my members at your company and I’m finding it increasingly disrespectful to my union that the above efforts to meet you are being ignored or pushed aside.”

A Great Western Railway spokesman said: "We are in regular contact with RMT representatives and officials to find a resolution to this dispute. We remain very keen to talk about the issues raised by the RMT as part of this dispute, and wish to see meaningful negotiations with them resume as soon as possible. We have spoken to the union about their meeting request and are currently agreeing a mutually convenient time to meet.

"We are of course aware that there will need to be discussions with other colleagues and their trades union representatives, on issues outside of those raised as part of this dispute but, without a clear agreement on the way forward with the RMT, there is nothing concrete to base these discussions on. We hope a mutually beneficial agreement with the RMT will give us the clarity for those discussions to take place."