Southeastern said the ballot result was disappointing
Workers on Southeastern trains in London have voted in favour of striking in a row over jobs.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said dozens of its members based at Charing Cross and Victoria had supported the industrial action.
It said it was in protest at plans to cut platform and gate staff.
Southeastern said the changes, already in place at two other stations, were working well and operational safety had not been compromised.
The union said in light of the result it would now hold a meeting to decide its next move.
A statement from the firm said: "The results of the ballot are disappointing as is the RMT's calling of it.
"The changes, which came in on Sunday 5 December at both Victoria and Charing Cross, had already been implemented at Cannon St and London Bridge following consultation with the RMT at these stations.
"The changes at all these stations have worked well and have not compromised the safe operation of trains."
But the RMT said the cuts should be reversed immediately.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "Only days after both Victoria and Charing Cross saw their security status elevated from substantial to severe we now have the clearest evidence that Southeastern's cuts to station staff are compromising emergency procedures and that is a disgrace."
Mr Crow accused the rail firm of putting up fares while "hacking back on platform operations that would compromise safety and security".
He said the move would also delay and disrupt the dispatch process and put staff in the firing line when things go wrong.
- Published14 December 2010
