Train managers on Avanti West Coast who belong to the RMT are set to strike on three days over the Christmas period in a dispute over rest day working, and services will be disrupted on those days.

The union said the company’s proposals had been ‘inadequate’, and that staff had rejected them in a vote by 92.8 per cent, on a turnout of 81 per cent.

The three strike days are 22, 23 and 29 December, and are expected to involve around 300 staff.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Avanti West Coast’s proposals have been decisively rejected by our Train Managers, sending a clear message to management that the current arrangements are unacceptable.

‘Train Managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles. Our members have had enough, and this strike action demonstrates their determination to win a fair deal.

‘It’s time for Avanti to put forward serious proposals that reflect the vital contribution of our Train Managers to the railway. We remain ready to reach a negotiated settlement and we urge management to show they are serious about resolving this dispute.’

Avanti West Coast said: ‘We are disappointed the RMT have voted to decline the very reasonable offer made to them to resolve the rest day working dispute and prevent inconvenience to those many people who will be travelling on the West Coast Main Line over this time.

‘We will continue to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.’

A revised timetable for 22 and 23 December is due to be published on Saturday.