Photo: Wenn
A rail strike has been planned for the weekend of this year's Reading Festival by First Great Western.
First Great Western are the main operator of trains from Reading train station, and are currently planning industrial action during the weekend of this year's massive event - reports Get Reading.
The rail operators are said to be planning a walk out for 72 hours from Saturday 29 until Monday 31 August. This means that fans should be fine in travelling to the festival for the whole weekend, but day ticket holders on Saturday and Sunday may experience problems - not to mention those trying to leave the event on the Bank Holiday Monday.
The walk-out is to fight for job security in the wake of new new Hitachi inter-city trains.
“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," says RMT general secretary Mick Cash (great name, by the way).
“As a result we have no option but to put further action on. “The fact remains that if it is good enough for East Coast, using the same trains, to meet the very basic assurances sought by this trade union then it is good enough for First Great Western as well.
He adds: “We congratulate our members for their rock solid support for the strike action last month and we know that they remain united and determined as we continue with our campaign on these crucial issues. RMT remains available for talks.”
Reading Festival organisers are yet to speak out over the news.
Reading and Leeds Festival take place at Little John's Farm and Bramham Park respectively, from Friday 28 - Sunday 30 August. This year is headlined by The Libertines, Mumford & Sons and Metallica, and will also see performances from Alt-J, Jamie T, Kendrick Lamar, Wolf Alice, Bring Me The Horizon, Royal Blood, Limp Bizkit and many more.
For Reading tickets visit here, and for Leeds tickets visit here.
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