Avanti West Coast train managers to strike in dispute over rest day working

Train managers at Avanti West Coast are to strike in a dispute over rest day working.

The transport company offers services that connects the West Midlands with other major cities such as Manchester and London from Birmingham New Street. It's rail services also operate between Birmingham and Sandwell & Dudley stations. 

Avanti also connects Shrewsbury with London and Wrexham. 

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

Union members voted overwhelmingly against the company’s proposals.

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

“Train managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles. 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. We remain ready to reach a negotiated settlement and we urge management to show they are serious about resolving this dispute.”

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

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

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “At one of our busiest and most important times of the year when our customers should be making journeys to visit family or friends during the holiday period, they will now face significant disruption because of these strikes.

“We are disappointed RMT have voted to decline the very reasonable offer made to them to resolve the Rest Day Working dispute and prevent inconvenience to those many people who will be travelling on the West Coast Main Line over this time.  We will continue to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.”