RAIL guards for York-based East Coast Mainline could strike in a row over pay.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said its 200 members at East Coast Mainline will vote from next week on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action in a row over the introduction of automated ticket barriers.

The union said commission from the collection of on-board fares had fallen, leaving guards “seriously out of pocket” to the tune of about £3,000.

General secretary Bob Crow said: “The management on the East Coast Mainline needs to show very clearly that they appreciate the role and responsibility of their guards with an offer that fully recognises the loss of income incurred through the installation of ticket barriers.”

A spokesman for East Coast said: “We’ve been talking with them about this over a considerable period of time and the offer of a fair and comprehensive compensatory package is on the table. Given the good progress that’s been made, industrial action is completely unnecessary. We do not believe there’s a genuine appetite for it among our guards – and it’s the last thing our customers want.”