GOVERNMENT contractor Serco was slammed today for its “disgraceful” approach to industrial relations as the train operator saw its workers vote overwhelmingly for strike action.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ union (RMT) hit out at the outsourcing giant over the safety and wellbeing of workers on the Caledonian Sleeper service and the company’s “refusal to negotiate.” 

RMT is in dispute with the firm  over a lack of berths for rest periods and the company’s failure to address the fatigue brought on by shifts that can stretch to almost 16 hours.