RAIL signalling workers are to stage two fresh strikes in a row over career progression amid claims that talks with management have broken down.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union based at the west of Scotland centre will walk out for 24 hours from 5.59am on February 14 and from the same time on March 2.

The workers staged a 72-hour stoppage over Christmas but suspended further action last month to allow for further talks.

The union claims Network Rail is refusing to stick to a long-standing local arrangement where, when a resident post becomes vacant, it goes to a senior staff member.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT has tried to reach a negotiated settlement to this unilateral ripping-up of a local arrangement but unfortunately the management have refused to see sense.

"RMT members will not stand by while management unilaterally rip up agreements that have been in place for decades.

"We have no option but to go ahead with this further wave of strike action."

A Network Rail spokesman disputed the RMT's claim that no effort had been made to resolve the dispute and said it was "difficult to understand" the call for further strike action because talks were already planned.

He added: "We're confident we will run a comprehensive service for passengers if these strikes go ahead. More than 95% of services across Scotland ran as timetabled during the last strike.

"Only a small number of local Glasgow services had to be reduced."