Avanti West Coast is warning customers services will be significantly disrupted this weekend due to the latest round of strike action. RMT Union members are planning walkouts on Sundays for the next four months until May 25.
Members of the union, who work as train managers at Avanti West Coast, will walkout leading to reduced services. This weekend will mark the start of the strike action, when a reduced timeline will be in place with fewer services running during limited operating hours.
The pay dispute also saw RMT members walking out on December 31 and January 2. On Sunday (January 12), Avanti West Coast will run one train per hour between Euston, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston. The first train of the day departs Euston after 8am, and the last train departs Euston before 5pm.
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With fewer services running during the strikes, trains are expected to be busy, and customers are strongly advised to travel on either side of this time period to avoid the strike where possible. Avanti bosses urged customers to plan ahead, expect disruption, and check the details of their last train home.
Customers with existing tickets for January 12 can travel any time from Saturday January 11 up to and including Tuesday January 14. However, if the customer had brought a ticket before the industrial action was announced, then you will be entitled to claim a full, fee-free refund from their point of purchase.
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.”
Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary previously said in relation to the dispute: “Avanti West Coast created this dispute by ignoring train managers’ concerns and presenting offers those members deemed unacceptable. The company must come forward with a revised proposal so we can avoid more strike action further into 2025.”
The union added the RMT remained open to resolving the issue and urged Avanti to take immediate action.
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