Train strikes: after walkouts were banned, passengers were warned of disruption

Despite a number of railway worker strikes being called off, passengers are being warned that Saturday's train service would be severely disrupted.

Services would remain "very limited," according to Network Rail, and trains on Monday were also likely to have delays.

With Network Rail and train operators, the RMT union declared that "a period of intense negotiations" would immediately begin.

The strikes were called due to a disagreement over wages and working conditions and were scheduled on November 5, 7, and 9.

They included employees of 14 train companies as well as Network Rail, which employs signaling personnel throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.

A temporary altered timetable for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will continue to be in effect since, according to rail operators, the RMT statement came too late to prevent disruption.

Only a fifth of services are scheduled to run on Saturday between 07:30 and 18:30 GMT, therefore there will likely be a significant impact on the entire network.

The suspension, however, is a major milestone because it is the first time that a strike has been called off to facilitate additional negotiations in the protracted RMT conflict.

The TSSA, a different transport union, had previously canceled its planned rail strikes for Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday at various companies in order to allow for further negotiation in November.

At five rail companies, including Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains, it had intended to go on strike.

On Friday, Avanti announced that it would not resume operations on Saturday, Monday, or Wednesday.

A shortened schedule will be in effect until at least Saturday and Monday, according to West Midlands Trains.

sports hit

For thousands of rugby fans traveling to Cardiff for the Wales vs. New Zealand autumn international, the strike cancellation has come "too late," according to Network Rail Wales.

Before the game, fewer trains will run, and none will depart Cardiff once it is over.

To get to the game, Tom and Lydia Ellis, who are from New Zealand but currently reside in Bristol, will need to catch a bus.Mr. Ellis remarked, "I won't feel completely at ease until we're inside the stadium.

On Saturday, ScotRail will only operate a minimal service because it expects substantial service disruptions. 11 of its routes will still be operational.Also still scheduled for Thursday is a strike on the London Underground.

"Pay pledge"

The threat of a strike, according to RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, "has helped the rail bosses see reason."

"We have always sought to achieve a negotiated settlement, and we will continue to advocate for it in this upcoming round of intense negotiations.Our members are our top priority, and we are trying to secure an agreement on job security, a fair salary increase, and favorable working conditions.

The rail operating businesses had "the promise of an offer," he continued, about salary.

Rail employers and the government, though, claimed their positions had not altered in response to questions from the BBC.

Eleven days before a new RMT strike vote is set to expire on November 15, the suspension was announced.

Mr. Lynch earlier told the BBC that he anticipated a yes vote from employees and issued a six-month strike threat if no agreement could be reached.

Network Rail is anticipating "coming back around the table with all our trades unions early next week to see if the progress achieved this week can be built on, and a resolution reached," according to Tim Shoveller, the company's top negotiator.

On Saturday and Monday, Network Rail continues to urge customers to only take the train if absolutely necessary and to verify their itinerary before leaving.

There will be "little power," according to Mr. Shoveller, to alter the strike's schedule.

The suspension of the strike, according to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, is "a great result for passengers up and down the country."He continued by saying that by canceling the most recent ones, negotiations between unions and businesses now had a "better chance of succeeding."

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which speaks for train operators, hailed the RMT's "move back from the brink" as "good."

The "short notice cancellation" of the strikes "means that train driver availability will inevitably be highly problematic and rely entirely on volunteers," the RDG added. Driver rosters are generally established a week in advance.

Tweet

Subscribe to receive free email updates: