The first national rail workers strike in 16 years will start the day after the Easter weekend.

Four days of strike action by signal and maintenance workers on the UK’s railway lines look set to add to traveller’s misery as unions end negotiations with Network Rail.

The RMT and union for people in transport and travel (TSSA) have jointly announced four days of industrial action by signalling staff and maintenance staff from Tuesday 6 April until Friday 9 April.

The first national rail workers strike in over 16 years comes on the back of plans by Network Rail to axe 1500 maintenance jobs and impose changes in working conditions.

Network Rail says it has contingency plans to ensure as many trains are running as possible.

RMT General Secretary, Bob Crow, said the union has been involved in intense negotiations in order to avoid the strike and achieve a fair deal for its members, but said Network Rail has not offered a deal that would do so.

“It remains the case that Network Rail, in a drive to slash 21% from their budget, want to axe 1500 maintenance posts, lump maintenance functions onto over-worked signallers, rip up agreements and impose changes that will quite clearly undermine safety across our railways and make another Hatfield, Potters Bar or Grayrigg disaster an inevitability.”

TSSA said that safety is a paramount issue: “This is all about safety, the safety of the travelling public and the safety and security of our members at Network Rail,” commented Gerry Doherty, TSSA General Secretary.

“The Office of Rail Regulation agrees with us that these changes pose a threat to safety. It is time that Iain Coucher [CE of Network Rail] started listening to his staff and the rail regulator.”

Robin Gisby, Director of Operations and Customer Services, defended Network Rail’s plans: “Passengers want more trains – starting earlier and running later – with fewer buses and more trains at weekends. To achieve this Network Rail needs to change the way the railway works. We want proper discussions with the unions’ leadership about implementing changes. Negotiations, not strikes are the way forward.

“This proposed strike is not about safety. Britain’s railway is safer than ever. The issue of safety is a smokescreen from a union leadership stuck in the steam age,” claimed Mr Gisby.

No doubt the rail staff will draw very little sympathy from the public who will be growing increasingly frustrated at a seemingly endless disruption to their travel plans. BA cabin crew held the first of two walk outs last week causing hundreds of flights to be cancelled and the second stage will affect people travelling from 27 – 30 March 2010.

Although the strikes have been deliberately staged to cause minimal damage over the Easter weekend – families who are looking to get away in the school break will still be affected.

A spokesperson for the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said: “It’s deplorable for the unions to threaten the first national rail strike in 16 years and shows scant regard for the needs of passengers and an economy which is only just emerging from recession.”

This country may not be where it is today had it not been for our predecessors taking action against employers in order to fight for their rights, but in the past five years a rise in this method of drawing attention to their issue is likely to gain them little empathy, especially at a time when many people are losing their jobs and place huge value on their annual holiday.

Will the rail workers strike affect your travel this Easter? Let us know.