Ballot papers are going out to 17,000 workers in two separate disputes over maintenance and signalling. If approved, the strike threatens to cripple train services at the start of the holiday season.

The move comes after 12,000 infrastructure workers rejected an "unacceptable" offer over terms and conditions.

Around 5,000 signallers and other key operational staff are being balloted over pay and conditions after rejecting the offer of an additional 0.1 per cent on the first year of a two-year deal.

Network Rail said their offer to signallers was "fair and reasonable" and the RMT union's demands were "unreasonable."

Both ballots conclude on May 22 and strikes could follow one week later.

Network Rail want a unique set of terms and conditions for maintenance staff, many of whom transferred to Network Rail from the private sector.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The company has been using the talks to try to drive down our members' conditions and they can hardly be surprised their pathetic offer was thrown out by a margin of more than 100 to one.

"The company is now saying our members can stay on their existing terms but they are already moving to sneak inferior conditions in through the back door with a list of issues it now wants to 'discuss' separately.

"We know that means – an attack on everyone's terms and conditions, not least because the company is looking to cut its maintenance budget by up to 12 per cent year on year."

Peter Bennett, director of human resources, said Network Rail understood concerns about the cost of living and had made a "fair and reasonable offer" to signallers. He said: "But the RMT want even more. Their demands are unreasonable."

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