Train strikes: Rail passengers informed to keep away from Christmas Eve travel

Rail passengers are being warned to keep away from travel on Christmas Eve when additional strike motion over pay and situations is because of happen.

The deliberate walkout by RMT members on 24 December could have a extreme affect on providers, stated Network Rail.

It suggested passengers to travel provided that “absolutely necessary” or contemplate travel on one other day.

Most folks ought to attempt to full their journeys by 15:00, forward of union members strolling out at 18:00, it added.

The strike by RMT employees will proceed till 06:00 on 27 December.

Network Rail added that some rail firms shall be unable to run any providers on Christmas Eve, with additional “significant impacts” between Christmas and New Year.

Andrew Haines, chief government of Network Rail stated: “I am so sorry that our passengers are having to bear the brunt of the RMT’s needless strike when a fair [pay] offer is on the table.”

Previous strikes by the RMT have had a significant affect on providers all through England, Scotland and Wales. Union members have rejected provides in a dispute over pay, job safety and dealing situations.

The RMT has introduced additional strikes for 3-4 January and 6-7 January.

Network Rail stated the economic motion meant some rail firms can be unable to run any providers on 24 December, with “very limited” providers on Boxing Day additionally.

Chief government Mr Haines added that the strikes over the busy Christmas interval have been “causing needless misery” to the railway and to the nation’s financial system.

But RMT common secretary Mick Lynch has described Network Rail’s pay provide to employees as “substandard”.

“Our members, along with the entire trade union movement will continue their campaign for a square deal for workers, decent pay increases and good working conditions,” Mr Lynch stated in a press release final week, including that members have been ready to take additional strike motion “in pursuit of a negotiated settlement”.

The railway strikes come at a time of widespread trade walkouts, together with these by ambulance drivers, nurses, driving examiners and freeway employees who will all be hanging over the festive interval.

Thousands of postal employees additionally walked out final week in a dispute over pay and dealing situations, with additional strikes by Royal Mail employees belonging to the CWU as a result of happen on 23 and 24 December – a number of the busiest days for pre-Christmas deliveries.