RAIL signal workers are to stage strikes this weekend over demands to work a three-day week.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) said its members in Stirling had voiced overwhelming support for a change in shift patterns, which would see the number of days they work reduced from five to three but the length of their shift go from eight hours to 12.

The changes have been rejected by Network Rail, which said they would add around £50,000 a year in operating costs.

The RMT held a two-day strike in April as the dispute escalated and said management had "refused to budge".

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow accused Network Rail of "riding roughshod over the clear democratic will of our members".

Network Rail said the union had put forward an "unprompted demand" that shift patterns be changed.