Virgin East Coast walk-out called off
Virgin Trains has welcomed the decision by the RMT union to suspend industrial action and return to the table for further discussions.
The union suspended the walk-outs – the first of which was planned for this Friday – after Virgin Trains repeated assurances to the union there would be no compulsory redundancies as part of changes, which the operator said are designed to improve customer experience.
East Coast route managing director David Horne said: "We’re pleased that the RMT has agreed to suspend industrial action and continue talks. We had put in place detailed contingency plans which would have seen our timetable run as normal, nevertheless this news will be welcomed by our customers and people.
"We’re making exciting changes on the east coast as part of the customer-centric revolution which has seen us embark on a £140m investment programme in our trains and stations.
"We want a service that focuses firmly on the customer and look forward to discussing these further with representatives of the RMT."
The union had planned a walk-out for three 24-hr stoppages on the east coast route on August 19, 26 and Bank Holiday Monday, August 29, plus an overtime ban on the Saturday and Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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