Rail strikes are back with a vengeance. Passengers on Avanti West Coast face months of disruption, starting on 31 December and continuing until the late May bank holiday weekend.
Train managers working for the West Coast main line operator will walk out on New Year’s Eve, Thursday 2 January and then every Sunday between 12 January and 25 May.
The plan is to strike on a total of 21 days, disrupting the plans of up to 100,000 passengers for each of the chosen dates.
These are the key questions and answers.
Avanti West Coast: what routes does it operate?
The main network covers around 700 miles of track. It centres on the West Coast main line to and from London Euston. The main cities served are:
- Birmingham
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- Glasgow
Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Preston, Carlisle and Edinburgh are among the other cities on the network.
In addition, Avanti West Coast runs along the North Wales coast, connecting Crewe with the port of Holyhead.
What is the dispute about?
Payments to train managers for working on their rest days. Originally strikes were called for 22, 23 and 29 December. Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said at time: “The current arrangements are unacceptable. Train managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles.”
This is a reference to the sums earned by management train managers – who sometimes step in if not enough train managers are available.
In addition, train drivers employed by Avanti earn a flat £600 for working on a day off; train managers are keen to be paid a commensurate sum.
Mr Lynch continued: “Our members have had enough, and this strike action demonstrates their determination to win a fair deal.
“It’s time for Avanti to put forward serious proposals that reflect the vital contribution of our train managers to the railway.”
An improved offer from the rail firm was put to union members, but in a referendum they resoundingly rejected it; seven out of 10 of all those eligible to vote were in favour of walking out.
An RMT spokesperson said: “Our members have resoundingly rejected Avanti’s latest offers in two referendums and sustained strike action is now the only way to focus management’s minds on reaching a negotiated settlement with the union.”
What does Avanti West Coast say?
“This…
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