UNION bosses are to ballot for strike action after talks between Merseyrail on the planned introduction of driver-only trains broke down last week.

In a letter to Merseyrail the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union stated it will ballot its members for industrial action.

The dispute relates to a new fleet of driver-only trains that will replace Merseyrail’s current 40-year-old rolling stock in 2020 and the security of guards jobs on trains.

The soonest the industrial action could take place would be early next month, during phase two of the loop line track renewal where trains will be starting and terminating at James Street station on weekdays – with rail replacement bus services in place for the weekends.

Merseyrail has promised that any member of staff who is currently employed as a guard and wants to stay at the company will be guaranteed employment in another position when the trains are introduced.

RMT regional organiser, John Tilley said: "RMT has now been left with nowhere else to go, but to ballot our members for industrial action in defence of the future operational safety of Merseyrail, and the retention of the 220 skilled guards posts.

“There more details that are emerging of how Merseyrail intend to operate these new trains, the more we are alarmed and determined to retain the guard.

“Merseyrail confirmed to us last week that the plans to comply with recommendation number one of the official accident report into the fatal accident at James Street station, mean that on the new trains the driver will be required to monitor a set of CCTV screens in the cab but only until the train has left the station.

“That is completely at odds with the requirements of basic railway safety, that require the driver to look out of the front windscreen, watching the signals, and scanning the track for obstacles, trespassers or workers.

“As Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel recently admitted to us, this is all about money, and to that end we are in discussion with senior politicians, with a view to ending this reckless proposal to operate Merseyrail with only a driver on board locked up front in his cab.

“We expect our members to vote heavily in favour of taking action, as that's what it may have to take to get people to listen."

However Merseyrail are committed to keeping passengers informed by any threat of strike action.

A spokeswoman for Merseyrail said: “Following the letter received today from the RMT, stating that they will ballot their members for industrial action, Merseyrail has made clear that we will work hard to prevent strikes from taking place, and are committed to continuing constructive discussions with union colleagues.

“This dispute relates to the new fleet, which is set to be introduced on to the network by 2020.

“Procured by local transport executive, Merseytravel, new trains will be modern, safe, faster and comfortable with more capacity to support the economic growth of a vibrant city region.

“They will not have guards, but we have pledged that any member of staff who is currently employed as a guard and wants to stay at Merseyrail, will be guaranteed employment in an alternative position once the new trains are introduced.

“The soonest industrial action could take place is early next month.

“We will ensure that further developments surrounding industrial action will be communicated through a wide range of channels, including the Merseyrail website, Twitter, at stations and on trains, as well as the local media.

“As well as continuing dialogue with the unions, we will now focus our efforts on preparing for a possible strike, establishing how we can best provide a service, involving as little disruption as possible for passengers.”