RMT leader Mick Lynch said: “Avanti could make better use of its resources by reaching a fair settlement with our members”
Lime Street train station in Liverpool(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Commuters have been warned to expect disruption to their train journeys this Sunday as the first of a series of weekend strikes is about to begin. Train managers on busy Avanti West Coast routes are taking action due to a dispute over rest day working.
The workers, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), will continue to strike every Sunday until May 25. Avanti urged its customers to travel on Saturday or Monday if possible, with a reduced timetable operating during the strikes.
Fewer services will run during limited operating hours, and trains which do run are expected to be busy. With planned engineering works taking place on most of the strike days, timetables for each date may vary and take longer to be finalised.
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RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “It is wrong that Avanti is paying replacement managers up to £500 per shift — around double what our members earn — while these managers fail to deliver the same service for passengers.
“This destructive approach is typical of train operating companies and stems from the failed policies of the previous Conservative government, which rewarded excessive pay-outs for managers rather than resolving disputes fairly.”
This Sunday, January 12, Avanti West Coast will run one train an hour between London Euston and each of Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston. A limited service will operate between Glasgow and Carlisle. In addition, rail replacement buses will run between Carlisle and Preston due to planned engineering work.
These trains will operate during limited hour, with the first train of the day departing Euston after 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing before 5pm.
The significantly reduced timetable will mean north Wales, Blackpool and Edinburgh, Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield will have no Avanti West Coast services. Lancaster and destinations in the Lake District (Oxenholme and Penrith) will also not be served by Avanti West Coast on January 12 due to planned engineering work.
Customers who do travel should plan ahead, expect disruption, and check the details of their last train home, said Avanti.
Kathryn O’Brien, executive director of customer experience at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re disappointed by the RMT calling strike action for an extended period when our customers may be working, visiting family and friends, or enjoying days out. As a result, they will face significantly disrupted journeys during this time. I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
“On the strike days we’ll have a reduced service, so customers with tickets for those days are strongly advised to travel on alternative dates or claim a full fee-free refund. We remain open to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute.”
Mr Lynch added: “Avanti could make better use of its resources by reaching a fair settlement with our members, which would also be far more cost-effective. At the core of this issue is a severe staffing shortage, which has created an over-reliance on overtime in the first place.
“Avanti needs to table a revised offer that meets the aspirations of our members. We remain ready to negotiate and reach a fair deal.”