The RMT has called off industrial action on Avanti West Coast, which had involved train managers and threatened to disrupt services on Sundays until May.

The dispute had been about payments for rest day working. Nine out of ten members voted, and 86.5 per cent accepted a proposed settlement.

Rates for rest day working are increasing to time plus a quarter, and time plus a half for Saturdays and Sundays. Minimum shift payments go up from six hours to seven and a half, and there will a fairer ‘Order of Call’ process, meaning that train managers will have priority for rest day and spare shifts before senior managers step in. The settlement will be backdated to 10 February.

The uniion said AWC has also promised to review the effect of the changes before the December 2025 timetable starts, and make ‘further improvements if needed’.

The RMT’s new general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ‘Our members have stood firm, taking significant industrial action, and have won a deal that delivers real improvements to pay, and working conditions.

‘This result shows through a strong industrial campaign and robust negotiation we can and do win improvements at work for our members.’

Avanti said: ‘We’ve worked together to find a resolution that is right for our train managers as well as the company and are now looking forward to continuing to grow our business.

‘This is a significant step in the right direction providing certainty for both colleagues and customers, as we head into what is traditionally one of our busier periods as leisure travel increases during the spring and summer.’

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