Avanti West Coast Sunday strikes suspended for talks

Strikes deliberate by Avanti West Coast practice managers have been suspended to permit negotiations in a long-running dispute over relaxation day working.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have been planning to stroll out on the following three Sundays.

Earlier than Christmas the union stated a revised proposal put to them was rejected by 83% of the 400 members concerned within the dispute, earlier than asserting new strike dates.

The RMT described the most recent postponement as a “breakthrough”, whereas Avanti stated it remained open to working with the union to resolve the dispute.

RMT common secretary Mick Lynch stated: “This breakthrough has been achieved by means of the power and willpower of our members, whose industrial motion has compelled Avanti to have interaction critically with this dispute.

“Consequently, strike motion has been suspended to permit area for constructive talks.

“We’re totally dedicated to utilizing the following three weeks productively to safe a negotiated settlement in good religion.”

However Mr Lynch warned that Avanti should “display an actual willingness to compromise” if it wished to keep away from an escalation of this dispute.

Avanti West Coast stated it was happy the strikes had been suspended.

“We stay open to working with the RMT to resolve this dispute and can proceed to work collectively to discover a decision,” a spokesperson stated.

“Which means tickets might be again on sale for the dates involved and we can function our regular Sunday timetable.”