RAIL workers in the West Midlands will strike over seven weekends in the long-running fight to keep a guard on all train services, their union announced yesterday.

RMT members at West Midlands Trains will be withdraw their labour every Saturday from this weekend until December 28 over the company’s plans to abolish the safety-critical role of the train guard.

The union warns that management plans to deskill the guard’s role will endanger the travelling public and decrease accessibility on all rail services.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The inevitable and serious disruption to services will be wholly down to the company and their refusal to agree to the safest possible means of operation.

“We will not allow the drive for profit to override the core issue of safe and accessible services for all on West Midlands Trains and we stand firm on that very basic principle.

“We will never compromise on the issues of passenger safety and accessibility.”

The union insists that it remains open to talks.