UPDATE 1-Some First Great Western workers to strike

(Updates with drivers not striking; company reaction)

LONDON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Hundreds of guards on First Great Western trains are to hold a 48-hour strike later this month in a row over industrial relations, their union said on Thursday. The RMT union said its members will walk out from a minute after midnight on Sunday, Jan. 20.

They have a range of grievances, including the use of managers to drive trains and work as guards.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said in a statement: "First Great Western have angered our members across the company with heavy handed and confrontational management and by undermining our members' jobs."

The strikes will not involve drivers as progress has been made in talks on issues relating to them, the union said later.

The RMT said it would also ballot more than 1,500 other members at the company over similar issues.

The rail company, part of FirstGroup Plc (FGP.L) operates services in the west and southwest of England and south Wales.

It said in a statement: "We're very disappointed that RMT guards have decided to take industrial action.

"We are asking the RMT to keep talking, and want to keep working with the union.

"We are very open to finding a realistic solution to issues the RMT raises, in fact we are meeting again tomorrow (Friday) at noon."

(Reporting by Peter Griffiths; editing by Rory Channing)

((peter.griffiths@reuters.com; +44 207 542 6472; Reuters Messaging: peter.griffiths.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: BRITAIN RAIL/STRIKE

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