Avanti West Coast hits back after proposal rejected

Avanti West Coast hits back after proposal rejected

Avanti West Coast train managers strike action has resumed after a proposal aimed at resolving the dispute over rest day working was rejected.

RMT union members will now walk out on New Year’s Eve and January 2, as well as every Sunday from January 12 to May 25.

The union said that “continued strike action” is now “the only way to concentrate management’s attention on reaching a negotiated solution”.

Avanti West Coast, which operates trains between London and Scotland and via the West Midlands and the North West of England, said the strike would cause “significant disruption” to customers.

Last week, the RMT had called off the strike of December 22, 23 and 29 to consider Avanti’s new offer.

But the union said late Tuesday that 83% of the 400 members involved in the dispute voted against the deal.

It said the revised proposal includes more payment for work on rest days and a more systematic allocation of shifts on rest days.

Train managers usually work 41 hours a week but due to staff shortages they may be asked to work even on holidays. The RMT has argued that the current arrangements are “unacceptable”.

Avanti, in response to the announcement of the latest strikes, said it was “disappointed” by the vote against the “very reasonable” amended resolution.

“This strike action will cause significant inconvenience to our customers traveling on the West Coast Main Line for long periods of time,” it said in a statement.

“We stand ready to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.”

It said it was looking at what impact the strikes would have on services and would confirm its plans as soon as possible.

Since mid-2022, rail travel has been disrupted by industrial action as the RMT and train drivers union Aslef demand better pay and conditions for their members.

The previous Conservative government had said this required changes to working practices in return, but Labor made a deal with the unions after winning the general election.

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