COMMUTERS face disruption next month as rail workers have voted in favour of industrial action.

Staff at National Express East Anglia (NXEA), which runs train services from Chingford to Liverpool Street, have opted to strike over planned job cuts.

A 24-hour walk-out is due to take place on Monday, March 30.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Workers union, (RMT), said: "Our members at NXEA have struck a blow against selfish employers who are seeking to slash jobs solely in order to maintain profits and dividends.”

He added that last year National Express paid out £60million to its sharholders, following a 28 per cent increase in profits.

A NXEA spokesman said: “We are disappointed that the RMT union has called a 24-hour strike despite the fact that only a minority of its members in our employment voted for strike action.

“The RMT are pursuing a needless dispute which will only result in a loss of earnings for their members.

He added that the ‘majority’ of services will run in the event of a strike.

A separate dispute between RMT and London Overground is “within reach” of being resolved, said Mr Crow.

Workers had voted for industrial action in a dispute over working conditions.

The industrial action would have affected the line which runs through Waltham Forest.