Avanti West Coast have been urged to scrap plans to bring in "see through" uniforms by a union after outrage from female members of staff.
The firm is due to bring in the ensembles from the end of Easter, but women union members are said to be "appalled" that their bras are visible from the back and front of white shirts made from "very cheap material".
In response, the London-North Wales service has said no issues were raised during a trial of the new uniforms and that staff could wear alternatives like polo shirts.
Avanti also said the shirts conform with international standards of grading quality, reports North Wales Live.
But transport and travel union TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, described the move as "disgraceful".
“It is disgraceful that in the 21st Century Avanti is giving staff see through blouses and they should ditch their plans right now," he said.
"There has been zero consultation with our union about the uniforms and had there been we would have told Avanti that they would leave our members, and women across the company, feeling exposed at a time when sexual assaults on the railways are on the rise."
“Frankly the company now deserves all the bad publicity it is likely to get. They have tried to say that alternative uniforms are available, but we know this is a bogus claim. In fact onboard staff and those working in lounges are being compelled to wear them.”
Nadine Rae, TSSA Organising Director, said: “The company is trying to cut costs with what our members say is very cheap material. The blouses are completely unacceptable.
“Avanti should be protecting all the women who work for them but instead they are making them targets. The uniforms should be withdrawn without delay, so all staff have the respect they deserve.”
A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “The uniform has been trialled by staff from across the business and this issue was not raised. The composition of the shirt is heavier than the current uniform and conforms with international standards of grading quality. Our staff have the option to wear alternative items including a polo shirt, dress, or layer with other garments as part of the design and we’ll continue to work with them to take onboard their feedback.”
