Christmas disruption likely as Avanti West Coast train managers vote to strike | Railway strikes

Avanti West Coast train drivers to strike in dispute over rest day.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union plan to walk out on December 22, 23 and 29.

Union members voted overwhelmingly against the company’s proposal.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said on Tuesday: “Avanti West Coast’s proposal has been decisively rejected by our train managers, sending a clear message to management that the current arrangements are unacceptable.

“Train managers are treated unfairly compared to senior managers who receive significant payments to cover these roles.

“Our members have had enough and this strike demonstrates their determination to win a fair deal.

“It is time for Avanti to make serious proposals that reflect the vital contribution of our train drivers to the railway.

“We remain ready to reach a negotiated solution and we call on management to show that they are serious about resolving this dispute.”

It is understood Avanti services will be extremely limited on strike days and a revised timetable will be issued from December 14.

Customers holding tickets for 22 and 23 December will be able to use them on alternative services between 16 December and 24 December, while those with tickets for 29 December will be able to use them on alternative services between 28 December and 3 .January.

An Avanti West Coast spokesman said: “At one of our busiest and most important times of the year, when our customers would be traveling to visit family or friends over the holiday period, they will now face significant disruption due to these strikes.

“We are disappointed that the RMT has voted to reject the very reasonable offer made to them to resolve the industrial dispute on the rest day and prevent inconvenience to the many people who will be traveling on the West Coast Main Line at this time. We will continue to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.”