At last… hopes new deal will end railway misery | Travel News | Travel

Solely a fifth of providers will run and half of traces will shut as 40,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Community Rail and 13 practice operators stroll out for the third day this week.

Nevertheless, practice firms and unions are edging nearer in direction of a deal, senior rail sources stated.

Bosses at Community Rail hinted final evening that they’d put collectively a bundle that meets one of many RMT’s key calls for to finish strike motion. 

The state-owned firm had  beforehand refused to rule out obligatory redundancies as a part of effectivity financial savings that it was demanding in return for an improved pay provide.

However any breakthrough will likely be too late to halt as we speak’s motion. 

It means a number of seaside resorts could have no providers, together with Bournemouth, Blackpool, Margate, Llandudno and Skegness. Cornwall could have no trains both.

Operators are telling passengers they need to “solely journey by practice if obligatory” and to verify their journey upfront.

A supply stated that whereas stations have been “comparatively quiet” throughout the weekday strikes, with many commuters working from house, there was “a nervousness” about what is going to occur as we speak.

Steve Montgomery, who chairs the Rail Supply Group, which represents operators, stated yesterday: “We’re very dissatisfied that the RMT management has determined to proceed with tomorrow’s strike, and the union management has chosen to take motion which can severely inconvenience the thousands and thousands of people that had plans over the weekend.”

“Whereas we’re doing our greatest to minimise disruption to passengers, our recommendation is to solely journey whether it is obligatory. And if you’ll journey, please plan forward.”

Passengers with pre-booked tickets for as we speak can journey tomorrow or Monday as a substitute, or declare a refund.

Yesterday, providers reeled from a knock-on impression of Thursday’s strike as a result of signallers and management room workers declined to show up for in a single day shifts. 

RMT chief Mick Lynch claimed its members have been “standing up for all working individuals attempting to get a pay rise and a few job safety”.