WORKERS at beleaguered Northern Rail are to stage another wave of strikes against the company’s plans to remove safety-critical guards from trains.

The firm’s operations are already in chaos because of its bungled introduction of new timetables, which has seen the number of cancellations and delays soar.

Now rail union RMT has accused the firm of planning to “shred the safety culture in the same way that they have shredded the timetables.”

Strikes are planned for Tuesday June 19, Thursday 21 and Saturday 23.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “We have seen over the past fortnight that Northern is a company which has declared war on its passengers and staff alike.

“RMT will not stand aside while the threat to axe safety-critical guards from Northern services remains central to the company plans.”

Rail operators in Wales and Scotland have reached agreement with RMT on the guards’ role. Franchise-holders in England have refused.