This time last year, it seemed like train strikes had become an inevitable part of life here in the UK. You booked a ticket and, as a matter of course, had to check back every day before your journey to see if it was even still running. Those were dark days.
But then, for a while, it seemed as though things might be improving. A deal was struck, and for a few months, trains operated with as much efficiency as they could muster, but we regret to tell you that it’s not over quite yet.
Avanti West Coast train managers who are members of the RMT union will be walking out on three days this December after disagreements over staff being asked to work on their rest days.
When are Avanti strikes over Christmas 2024?
Workers will be striking leading up to Christmas and the New Year, on December 22, 23, which will be some of the busiest days of the year, and December 29. Avanti has issued a statement saying that if you are planning to travel with the operator on any of those days you should expect ‘timetables and operating hours to be reduced significantly and note that services that do run are expected to be busy’. Avanti ‘strongly advise customers to check before they travel’.
Can I use my ticket on alternative routes?
If that disrupts your plans and you’d rather find another way to get where you need to be, you can claim a full refund from wherever you bought your ticket. Additionally, if you’re booked onto a train on the 22 or 23, you can use that ticket anytime between December 16 and 24. For those due to set off on December 29, your ticket will be valid December 28-January 3.
What have unions and rail chiefs said about the strikes?
RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch explained: ‘Train managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles.’
He continued: ‘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.’
Avanti has said: ‘We are disappointed the 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,’ adding that they will ‘continue to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.’
You never know what will happen, though. Last month, London Underground staff planned to strike for two days following ongoing disputes about pay and working conditions, but they called it off at the last minute due to an ‘improved offer’ from TfL. Fingers crossed a similar situation unfolds here, and no one’s journey home for Christmas has to be done via rail replacement coach. That’s not very merry at all.
Britain by train
Elsewhere in rail news, did you see that these three train operators will be the first to be taken under public ownership? Or that the Telegraph has crowned two British train services the best in the world? Plus, it could soon be quicker to get between London and Edinburgh by train, 12 of Europe’s best train journeys are in the UK and one of the UK’s most beautiful train stations is getting a generational makeover.
Have you seen Europe’s best rail operators ranked for 2024?
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