Talks between the RMT and Avanti West Coast over the terms of rest day working have reached an ‘intensive’ stage, according to the union, which has called off walkouts by train managers which had been planned for the next three Sundays, but ASLEF has announced strikes by its members on the Elizabeth Line in London after 95 per cent voted in favour on a turnout of 88 per cent.

In the West Coast dispute, the RMT said ‘following sustained industrial action, pressure from RMT members has brought Avanti management to the table for meaningful discussions on resolving the row’.

The RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘This breakthrough has been achieved through the strength and determination of our members, whose industrial action has forced Avanti to engage seriously with this dispute.

‘As a result, strike action has been suspended to allow space for constructive talks. We are fully committed to using the next three weeks productively to secure a negotiated settlement in good faith. 

‘However, Avanti must demonstrate a real willingness to compromise if it wants to avoid an escalation of this dispute in the coming weeks and months.’

Avanti West Coast said: ‘We are pleased the RMT has suspended strike action for the next three weekends. We remain open to working with the RMT to resolve this dispute and will continue to work together to find a resolution.

‘This means that tickets will be back on sale for the dates concerned and we will be able to operate our normal Sunday timetable.’

Meanwhile, the drivers’ union ASLEF has announced strikes by its Elizabeth Line members on 27 February, followed by 1, 8 and 10 March. They are employed by the operator MTR, which is being replaced by Transport for London with a consortium of Go Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation in May.

ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘Our members have been instrumental in the success of the Elizabeth Line – it’s a partnership, in practice, between the company and its employees – but, despite our best efforts, MTR has decided not to recognise the input, the importance, and the value of train drivers in this success.

‘I suspect that the company’s intransigence is because it has lost the contract with TfL to run the Elizabeth Line; if that is indeed the case, it is very disappointing to see the company behave this way.’

Nigel Gibson, one of ASLEF’s full-time district organisers, and the lead officer with MTR, said: ‘Taking action is always a last resort, because we do not want to inconvenience passengers and our members do not want to lose money, and I hope that the company, seeing the strength of feeling amongst our members, their drivers, will do the right thing and return to the negotiating table.’

Transport for London said: ‘We encourage Aslef and MTR Elizabeth line to continue working towards resolving this dispute.’

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