South West Trains warned the RMT that it will not be renegotiating the pay deal the union agreed four months ago which already covers the period of the London 2012 Games. The RMT has attempted to renege on the deal and secure a further Olympics bonus. The union has confirmed that a ballot of its members for strike action and industrial action short of a strike will be held between 5 July and 19 July.

However, a significant pay increase of 4.75% was agreed in February and it specifically included arrangements during the Games period. The pay increase was also backdated to October 2011, meaning RMT members have already benefitted from eight months of enhanced pay as a result of the deal.

A South West Trains spokesman said: “We are disappointed the union has decided to press ahead with this unnecessary ballot. We negotiated a deal with the RMT in good faith and we have stuck to it. We want the union to be 100% clear about our position: we will not be renegotiating our agreement that already covers Olympic arrangements.

“This means we will not be paying more money and that situation will not change even if RMT members vote for a strike or other industrial action. We would urge union members to think carefully about the issues before they decide which way to vote. Industrial action, whether it is a strike or anything else, will be unnecessary and will not change anything.”

The spokesman added: “The country does not want to see any disruption or threat of it during the Olympics. It should be a showcase event for the nation. We will always support our staff to help them deliver the best service they can for customers and we will ensure that happens during the Games.”