Birmingham's New Street station could be plunged into chaos by rail staff refusing to work over safety fears caused by firefighters strikes, union leaders warned today.
Fire service workers are set to walk-out over 36 days in pursuit of a 40 per cent pay claim, putting heavy strain on emergency cover at major transport hubs.
Senior New Street officials were meeting fire service chiefs today to discuss contingency measures should the first national strike go ahead on October 29.
Rail union chiefs warned last month that they were ready to ballot their members in underground operations such as New Street and London's Tube over safety concerns if a strike went ahead. RMT union leader Bob Crow said:
"Those parts of the lines with tunnels and deep line tubes should be shut for the duration of the dispute."
He stressed that RMT could not tell workers to walk away from their jobs, although train driver union Aslef said drivers could make a personal judgment if they felt safety was compromised.
Mr Crow said: "We will be saying to the employer 'do you think it is safe first of all for employees to work'. If the answer is 'we do think it is safe' and our members don't think it is safe and management are forcing that upon them --then we will ballot our members for strike action."
RMT's executive was meeting today to agree guidance to members.
A meeting between the RMT and train drivers' union Aslef was likely later in the week to coordinate their approach.
But Julia Stanyard, Midlands spokeswoman for Railtrack, said: "We have been working to ensure proper contingencies are in place. We believe the action taken will ensure a safe a reliable railway."
David Ewart, spokesman for train operator Virgin, said: "There has been extensive risk assessment to allow us to maintain safe and reliable services."
Downing Street's emergencies committee was also meeting today to ensure contingency plans were in place to deal with the fire strike.
