RAIL firm Connex, which is facing a series of strikes by drivers, was today accused of "fabricating" minutes of a meeting with union officials to suggest talks over hours were progressing well.

The drivers' union, Aslef, said Connex made up passages in the minutes of a meeting held before Christmas.

The charge has worsened relations between Connex and the union, which has called six one-day strikes starting next week over the "complete breakdown" of industrial relations.

The company, which runs services from Sussex into London, said it would look into the claims.

Minutes of the meeting, held in London on December 9, were circulated to the media in recent weeks.

The minutes quote an Aslef official as saying discussions over the union's demand for a 35-hour week were "progressing well".

But according to Aslef's general secretary Mick Rix, the subject of drivers' hours was not discussed that day.

"The meeting took place but there was no discussion about a 35-hour week," he said.

A spokesman for Connex said he would look into the claim before he could comment.

The dispute remained deadlocked today with Connex continuing to run a revised timetable containing fewer services because drivers are not working overtime or rest days.

More than 200,000 commuters will face travel chaos if the strikes go ahead. They are planned for January 25 and on February 2, 10, 18, 21 and 29.

On Friday 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.

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

Not all drivers voted.

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