A RAIL union is to ballot members over strike action on the East Coast Main Line.

Members of the RMT will vote on industrial action over a pay dispute with rail operator Virgin East Coast, the union announced this morning.

The union leadership says the company has decided to impose a pay offer which has previously been rejected by its members..

They say the offer includes productivity clauses which they claim would create a two-tier workforce where new applicants and long-standing staff would have different rights.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “It is shocking that the company are offering new employees no sick pay for the first 12 months and an inferior sick pay scheme thereafter.

“The pay offer was put to our members and they rejected it by a large majority.

“Instead of negotiating the company has sought to impose the offer”.

Virgin East Coast has yet to respond to this morning's announcement