Due to a strike by train managers who are members of the RMT union, passengers on Avanti West Coast routes will have a “significantly reduced” service on New Year’s Eve. The dispute centers around rest days, leading to walkouts on 31 December and 2 January. While the were supposed to strike around Christmas, the action was later called off to consider a new offer. That new offer was ultimately rejected by 83% of the 400 members involved in the dispute, prompting the announcement of new strike dates.
Despite this, both Avanti and the RMT say they are open to working together to resolve the dispute. In the meantime, Avanti recommends that passengers either travel on alternate days or claim a full refund if they choose not to travel due to the strike. The few trains that will run on New Year’s Eve will be very busy, as all the affected regions will only have one train per hour or one train every other hour, with no Avanti West Coast services in North Wales, Blackpool and Edinburgh.
Following the planned walkouts over the new year, train managers at Avanti West Coast are also planning to strike every Sunday from 12 January to 25 May. Avanti has further information on disruption from the strikes on its website.
The RMT believes that sustained strike action is “the only way to focus management’s minds on reaching a negotiated settlement.” The union had rejected a proposal of £300 or more to managers to cover working on rest days such as Sunday, which Avanti had presented as an offer, prompting the strike action.
Kathryn O’Brien, executive director of customer service at Avanti West Coast, said the company was “disappointed” but was grateful for “customers’ patience and understanding”. The strike action is expected to impact a significant number of people who are hoping to travel throughout the new year
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