Passengers are cautioned that Saturday’s train service will be severely disrupted despite the cancellation of a series of strikes by railroad workers.
Network Rail said that services would continue to be “very reduced” and that Monday’s trains could potentially be interrupted.
The RMT union has said that it will now enter “a period of intense negotiations” with Network Rail and train companies.
The planned strikes on November 5, 7, and 9 were prompted by a dispute over wages and working conditions.
Involved were personnel from Network Rail, which employs signaling workers in England, Scotland, and Wales, and 14 train companies.
According to rail firms, the RMT’s notification came too late to avert disruptions, thus a revised timetable will stay in effect for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
On Saturday, only one-fifth of services are likely to operate between 07:30 and 18:30 GMT due to a significant effect on the network.
However, the suspension is a major move, as it is the first time in the RMT’s protracted dispute that a strike has been called off to facilitate further negotiations.
Another transport union, the TSSA, had already halted action against Network Rail in November so that negotiations could continue, and on Friday, it canceled scheduled rail strikes on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday at several companies.
It intended to strike five rail companies, including Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains.
Friday, Avanti announced that it would not resume service on Saturday, Monday, or Wednesday.
West Midlands Trains stated that a modified schedule will continue at least through Sunday and Monday.
Rugby won
Network Rail Wales stated that the postponement of the strikes came “too late” for thousands of rugby fans traveling to Cardiff for the autumn international between Wales and New Zealand.
There will be fewer trains leaving Cardiff before the game, and none after it concludes.
Tom and Lydia Ellis, who are from New Zealand but currently reside in Bristol, must take a bus to get to the game.
Mr. Ellis stated, “I won’t be completely at ease until we’re in the stadium.”
ScotRail will only operate a skeleton service on Saturday, and the rail operator has warned of substantial service disruptions. Only 11 routes will remain operational.
And the London Underground strike scheduled for Thursday will still occur.
“Pay Guarantee”
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, stated that the prospect of strike action “has made the rail employers sensible.”
“We have always desired a negotiated settlement, and we will continue to press for one in this next round of serious negotiations.”
“Our members are our top concern, and we are striving to secure an agreement on job security, a pay increase, and good working conditions.”
He stated that the rail-operating corporations had “promised an offer” regarding compensation.
However, trained employers and the government stated that they had not changed their attitude.
The suspension was issued eleven days before the 15 November ballot deadline for a new RMT strike.
Mr. Lynch earlier told that he expected workers to vote in favor and cautioned that if no agreement is reached, strikes might continue for another six months.
Network Rail’s chief negotiator, Tim Shoveller, stated that the firm is looking forward to “coming back around the table with all our trades unions early next week to see if the progress made this week can be built upon and a resolution found.”
Network Rail continues to warn travelers to check before traveling and to only take the train on Saturdays and Mondays if necessary.
Mr. Shoveller stated on Monday that the authority to alter the strike schedule will be “restricted.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper stated that the suspension of the strike action was “good news for passengers across the country.”
He noted that calling off the most recent ones has given union and company negotiators a “better chance of success.”
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators, viewed the RMT’s “move back from the edge” as “good.”
Typically, driver rosters are agreed upon a week in advance; however, the “short notice cancellation” of the strikes “means that train driver availability will unavoidably be extremely difficult and reliant entirely on volunteers,” the RDG added.
