READING Festival could be thrown into turmoil as a rail union announces plans for a strike over the August Bank Holiday.
Rail union RMT has confirmed today that there will be a strike because of a dispute with First Great Western.
The RMT said the strike was being held over threats to jobs, services and safety from the introduction of the new Hitachi Intercity trains.
The union said it had not received the assurances it required from FGW.
The first Hitachi trains will run on the Great Western main line from 2017 and the East Coast main line from 2018.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Despite strenuous efforts by our negotiators we have not been able to secure the kind of progress required in the key areas of jobs, services and safety for us to reach an agreement.
“As a result we have no option but to put further action on."
The planned strike over the bank holiday would coincide with Reading Festival, and could see many festival-goers stranded.
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