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Train managers of Avanti West Coast have voted to strike for three days during the Christmas period. The RMT union stated that the walkouts have been scheduled for 22nd, 23rd, and 29th December for the London to Scotland service after they rejected the train company’s proposals for ‘rest day working arrangements.’ Train managers are generally required to work for 41 hours per week, but can be asked to work on their days off because of staff shortages, and the RMT said that the current arrangements were ‘unacceptable.’ The strikes will affect around 300 train managers and are anticipated to limit rail services throughout all three days.
Avanti West Coast stated that at ‘one of our busiest and most important times of the year’, customers are likely to face significant disruption due to these strikes. A revised timetable for 22nd and 23rd December will be made available on Saturday 14th December. The strikes have been announced weeks after RMT members working at various rail companies accepted a pay rise of 4.75% for the previous financial year and a 4.5% increase for 2024-25.
At the time, former transport secretary Louise Haigh said that these pay rises were crucial for ‘modernising working practices to ensure a better performing railway.’ RMT general secretary Mick Lynch stated that “train managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles. Our members have had enough, and this strike action demonstrates their determination to win a fair deal.” Avanti West Coast stated that they are disappointed with RMT’s decision to decline their ‘very reasonable’ offer and said that they will work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.
Rail travel has been disrupted by industrial action as the RMT and union Aslef have sought better pay and conditions for their members since 2022. The previous Conservative government said that changes to working practices were necessary. The Labour government reached an agreement with the unions after winning the general election
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