Strike planned for Olympics

LONDON - Reuters

REUTERS photo

Strikes by train drivers and passport officials threaten major disruptions to the London Olympics, prompting the government to warn unions yesterday that they risked public anger if the industrial action went ahead.

The Aslef rail union announced yesterday that 450 of its members in central England would walk out between Aug. 6 and 8 in a dispute over pensions, affecting passengers travelling from cities such as Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby to the capital. The decision coincided with a move by border officials to strike on July 26, the day before the start of the Games, potentially delaying thousands of visitors arriving for the showpiece event. The threat of transport chaos added to pressure on the government, which has already had to call in thousands of extra soldiers to guard the Games after a failed private sector deal.