A series of planned strikes from Saturday by rail workers has been called off, the RMT union said on Friday. Three 24-hour rail strikes were due to be called by the RMT union on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, meaning the national network including trains in and out of London faced significant disruption. However, a spokesman said the planned strikes on the London Underground on Thursday were to go ahead as it was a separate dispute. This will leave the Tube with limited or no services, according to TfL. The RMT released a statement on Friday afternoon announcing rail strikes for Saturday, Monday and Wednesday have now been called off, saying the union will now “enter a period of intensive negotiations with Network Rail and the train operating companies’. But rail bosses said that because of the short warning there would be an “extremely limited” train service on Saturday and that the disruption would continue until Monday. Network Rail advised passengers to only travel on these days if “absolutely necessary”.
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The RMT said it had secured “unconditional” talks for Network Rail and the promise of a bid from the train operators. The union said the dispute remains “very much alive” and is continuing to re-poll members to secure a new mandate for action with the result expected on November 15. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The threat of strike action and our strongly supported industrial campaign has put rail employers on notice. “We have always wanted to secure a negotiated settlement and that is what we will continue to push for in this next phase of intensive talks. “Our priority is our members and we are working to secure an agreement on job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions. “Our re-vote remains alive and if we have to strike for the next 6 months to secure a deal, we will.” Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said: “It is welcome news that the RMT has stopped its strikes, but the very late notice means that services for tomorrow cannot be restored and will remain extremely limited, and while we and train company partners , will run non-stop over the weekend, there will be limited ability to change the ‘strike schedule’ for Monday. “Our advice remains to check before traveling on Saturday and Monday as well and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary. “We look forward to getting back to the table with all our unions early next week to see if the progress made this week can be built upon and a resolution found.” Another transport union, the TSSA, had already called off November action at Network Rail to allow talks to continue, and on Friday suspended planned rail strikes on November 5, 7, 8 and 9 at various companies. Transport Minister Mark Harper said: “This is a positive development for passengers up and down the country, but the very late notice means, unfortunately, there will still be significant disruption to the network tomorrow and Monday. “We encourage unions and employers to continue their negotiations and the cancellation of these strikes has given these talks a better chance of success. “It is vital, for passengers and workers alike, that all parties continue to work together and deliver a modern railway that we can all be proud of.” The announcement followed calls from London businesses for unions to end their row with the rail industry and TfL “once and for all” in the wake of massive damage caused by devastating strikes. The disruption over the summer led to an estimated £52m in losses for businesses in the capital, which earlier on Friday warned of a “devastating impact” on London’s economy. As Thursday’s London Underground strike is set to continue, TfL is advising passengers to avoid traveling on the Tube that day. London Underground services, while not immediately affected, may also be subject to last-minute changes, including not stopping at some stations shared with the London Underground, TfL said. Services can also be extremely busy. Among those to be affected nationally by strikes called off at the last minute are thousands of rugby fans who traveled to Cardiff for Wales’ autumn international against New Zealand on Saturday, Network Rail Wales said. There will be fewer trains before the match and none will leave Cardiff after the match.
