Rail caterers in the East Midlands announced yesterday that they would strike over their bosses’ abuse of disciplinary procedure and over breaches of agreements.

East Midlands Trains contracts its catering to Rail Gourmet, which operates in nine countries.

Transport union RMT, of which the staff are members, accuses the company of “inconsistent operation” of disciplinary procedures and “breaches of agreed procedures and policies.”

Protracted talks have failed to find a solution to the problems and the staff will strike for 24 hours from 6am on Saturday May 31.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: “We now have further talks scheduled with the company and we hope that we are able to make progress on the fundamental issues at the heart of this dispute.

“The company should be in no doubt as to the solidarity and anger amongst our members and their determination to see these matters resolved satisfactorily.”