More rail strikes are planned for this month, and they’re set to cause significant travel disruption over Christmas. After a year of widespread industrial action on the train network, many people now feel like they’re living in an endless cycle of travel cancellations and walkouts. But there’s a slither of hope on the horizon for commuters.
Members of the Unite union at Network Rail, which represents electrical control room operators, have just accepted a pay offer, and have called off their planned industrial action this week and in January (they were set to join members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union in walking out).
Unite national officer Harish Patel said: ‘Unite’s members have voted in favour of accepting an improved offer put forward by Network Rail.
‘Industrial action by our members scheduled to take place over December and January will now not take place.’
Members of the RMT are still planning to go ahead with their strikes on December 13, 14, 16 and 17, and January 3, 4, 6 and 7. Unless a deal on pay, job security and working conditions is reached between the remaining unions and rail operators, it’s likely that strikes could continue into spring 2023.
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