TRAIN drivers for

Connex services have voted for a series of

one-day strikes which will cripple commuter and other services.

The announcement by rail union bosses today means passengers in

Sussex face a further wave of disruption as the protest against overtime working continues.

The strikes will take place on January 25 and on February 2, 10, 18, 21 and 29.

Connex South Central drivers backed industrial action by 378 to 81 votes, a majority of 82 per cent, while Connex South Eastern staff voted by 388 to 154 in favour, a 71 per cent majority.

Mick Rix, general secretary of the train drivers' union ASLEF, said: "The massive vote for industrial action shows the frustrations of our members with the tactics of the Connex management.

"They are saying enough is enough."

ASLEF balloted 1,500 drivers with Connex SouthCentral and Connex South Eastern and the vote was also in favour of removing overtime from contracts from January 25.

Not all drivers voted.

Drivers, mainly ASLEF members, have been refusing to work more than a 35-hour week.

The action has caused hundreds of cancellations and delays on Connex

services and led to the train operator introducing a temporary timetable.

Connex said the past action had been unlawful and launched legal action, though talks with ASLEF have continued without success.

The train operator

criticised the planned industrial action, saying the decision was based on votes by fewer than half its drivers.

Connex media relations manager Dave Ewart

said: "We are saddened that our customers are threatened with disruption to their services by the industrial action by ASLEF and which was voted for by less than

half of our drivers.

"We remain willing to talk to ASLEF to try to resolve the issues in the interests of our

customers."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.