Avanti West Coast rail strikes SUSPENDED as workers take new vote

Three planned strikes by Avanti West Coast workers around Christmas have been suspended. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) had been due to walk out on December 22, 23 and 29.

The dispute involved train managers working for Avanti. It was warned that passengers heading between Greater Manchester and London would face disruption over the festive period as a result.

But the RMT has now confirmed the strikes are suspended. Members will now vote on a revised offer, which is aimed at resolving a row over rest day working.

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An RMT spokesman said: "RMT has suspended strike action planned for December 22, 23, and 29 after receiving a revised offer from Avanti West Coast. Train managers will now vote on the offer in a referendum, which concludes on Tuesday, December 17 2024.

"Key elements of the offer include: revised and enhanced rest day working payments; discussions on a new technology agreement; creation of a rest day working allocation agreement. We remain in dispute with Avanti as our members vote on the revised offer."

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said this week that Avanti's previous offer regarding rest day working had been 'decisively rejected' by members, adding: "Train managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles."