Strike action set to cause disruption across Avanti West Coast routes from New Year's Eve
Strike action has been announced by the RMT union from New Year's Eve, set to cause delays and disruption for months into 2025.
Avanti West Coast services will be impacted, with the operator announcing this evening that the strikes will take place after failing to agree on a deal with the RMT.
Avanti has described their pay offer as very reasonable and said that they are disappointed with the train managers who declined their offer.
The RMT union will strike on 31 December and 2 January. They will also be striking every Sunday from 12 January to 25 May 2025.
Avanti West Coast has said this strike action will cause significant disruption to our customers making journeys on the West Coast Main Line over an extended period.
A spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed our Train Managers who are RMT members have voted to decline the very reasonable revised offer made to them to resolve the Rest Day Working dispute and avoid inconveniencing our customers. We remain open to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said:
“This is incredibly disappointing news for passengers who would have been hoping to leave strike action in 2024, and we strongly encourage both the RMT and Avanti West Coast to get back around the table and work in good faith to resolve this as quickly as possible.
“As part of our plans to reform the railways, we’re determined to move towards a seven-day working week and end the overreliance on rest day working, giving passengers the certainty and reliability they deserve.”
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) had previously agreed to strike on 22,23, and 29 December, but suspended strike action after receiving a new offer from Avanti West Coast.
However, following a vote on the offer on Tuesday 17 December strikes are now set to return at the end of the month.
Rest Day Working payments and arrangements over a new technology agreement were a couple of the key factors voted on by the RMT.
The RMT has been contacted for comment.
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