STAFF at GNER ticket offices across the country have voted in favour of industrial action.

About 150 workers voted 91 per cent in favour of action, including possible strikes, over claims GNER, which is based in York, plans to reduce the number of ticket office workers at stations.

But GNER said the decision was "premature and without foundation" and said that while gradual changes were being made to its ticket offices, there would be no compulsory redundancies.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), the union for people in transport and travel, last night said customers would not suffer as a result of the dispute.

Brian Brock, of the TSSA, said: "We are considering action that will have the least affect on customers. Strike action will be our last option."

Mr Brock said the unrest came from GNER's decision to focus on the sale of tickets through the internet and fast-track machines, rather than manned ticket offices.

He believes GNER has plans to cut up to 50 per cent of ticket office jobs. He said: "Basically, the staff have had enough. They are the ones talking to the customers on the front line, listening to what they want, but management just aren't listening."

But GNER said it had seen a 60 per cent growth in the number of online ticket sales and growth in the number of people choosing to collect tickets at its machines.

Spokesman John Gelson said GNER was reviewing its retail structure in response to customers' needs and a competitive marketplace.

"We need to make gradual changes in staff numbers in travel centres in order to respond to the changing preferences of our customers and to offer them choice."

Mr Gelson said the company had not yet decided how many jobs would be lost, but that any reduction of ticket office staff would be made through natural wastage.

TSSA has told GNER that industrial action will start on Thursday, although no decision has been made on what action staff will take.

Mr Gelson said: "We have been engaged in proactive talks with staff representatives at the travel centres for the past 18 months.

"We believe the decision to take industrial action is premature and without foundation."