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

Train managers at Avanti West Coast are to strike over the Christmas period, leading to a severely reduced timetable being in place.

The RMT has confirmed that members voted overwhelmingly to reject proposals on rest day working, in a long-standing dispute between the union and operator.

Train managers will walk out on Sunday December 22, Monday December 23 and Sunday December 29, with Avanti set to have a limited timetable in place on those days.

The dispute centres on the difference between what Avanti pays Manager Train Managers compared to Train Managers when asked to work on rest days, often on trains running at unsociable hours.

It’s claimed the difference in pay can be as much as £300, however in the union’s e-referendum on Avanti’s offer to reduce that gap, 92.8% rejected the proposals. Turnout was 81%.

The RMT’s General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said members had “decisively rejected” the offer, “sending a clear message to management that the current arrangements are unacceptable”.

It’s understood Avanti’s train managers work 41 hours a week.

"Train Managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles,” he said. 

“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.”

An Avanti West Coast spokesman 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 that RMT members have voted to decline the very reasonable offer made to them to resolve the Rest Day Working dispute with the resulting inconvenience to those 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.