The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), the UK's largest rail union, is calling on 17,000 of its members to strike over two separate disputes with infrastructure operator Network Rail.
The dispute, which involves maintenance, signalling and other operational staff, has escalated after workers rejected an initial pay and condition offer of an extra 0.1 percent on the first year of a two-year deal from Network Rail.
Ballot papers are being sent to more than 12,000 infrastructure workers and about 5,000 signallers and other operational staff.
Both ballots conclude on 22 May.
By staff writer
