WORKERS at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will take part in any further strikes in the national rail dispute after a ballot result announced today showed “emphatic” backing for industrial action.

GTR employees were originally balloted as part of the national rail dispute in May, along with 13 those of other train operating companies.

However, their Yes vote was deemed invaild as, due to the anti-trade union laws, the number of votes cast was too low to allow them to take part in last week’s strikes.

Following a turnout of 57.5 per cent and a huge Yes vote of 80 per cent in the latest ballot, more than 2,000 GTR staff will now take part in the next strikes if and when RMT decides to announce further stoppages.

The result, announced at the union’s AGM, comes hard on the heels of fellow rail unions Aslef and TSSA announcing that they will ballot their members for strike action on the railways. 

If the Aslef ballot endorses walkouts, it will be the first time train drivers have staged a national strike since 1995.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This fantastic result is a credit to our elected officers and lay activists who worked around the clock to deliver this emphatic result.

“Our members were denied their democratic right to strike due to draconian ballot thresholds, but having smashed through those at the second time of asking, they are raring to join our campaign.

“GTR staff are now able to join our fight and have a legal mandate to take action in the future, to get a negotiated settlement on pay, job security and working conditions.

“We will continue our negotiations next week with Network Rail and the train-operating companies with a view to getting a deal that meets our members a just deal.

“We cannot rule out further strikes and we are focused on winning this dispute and coming to an agreement with rail bosses that gives our members what they need.”

Reacting to the news of the planned votes by TSSA and Aslef members, Mr Lynch said: “We welcome Aslef and TSSA balloting their members for strike action. 

“If rail unions stay united in our common struggle for pay justice, job security and decent working conditions, we cannot and will not be defeated.”