Sussex rail strikes will not go ahead after union secures 'intensive negotiations' with rail bosses - but it is 'too late' to reinstate normal train service

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers union (RMT) at Network Rail, including thousands of signalling staff, were due to take industrial action on Saturday (November 5), Monday (November 7) and Wednesday (November 9).

It had been reported that only 20 per cent of usual services would run, and some disruption was likely the morning after each strike day.

Even though RMT has suspended those strikes after ‘securing intensive negotiations with rail bosses’, there will still be disruption on the railway in Sussex.

Angie Doll, chief operating officer at Govia Thameslink Railway, said services will remain limited, with a late start-up and early finish time.

She added: “While it is good news that national rail strikes have been called off, the very short notice provided means that unfortunately we cannot reinstate services on Saturday or Monday.

“I’m sorry to say that people should travel by rail only if absolutely necessary on these days.”

Network Rail has told people to ‘please check before you travel’ as ‘we still expect only 20 per cent of services to be running’.

"We are working with operators to understand what we can run on Monday - however it's likely any extra trains would need volunteers to come in and drive/guard them as the rosters and timetables are already written,” a spokesperson said.

"So again, please check before you travel over the next few days and don't assume your train will be running because the strikes are off. We're delighted this step forward has been taken in negotiations but we are sorry the disruption will still continue.”

RMT will now enter into a period of talks with Network Rail and the train operating companies.

“Through a strong industrial campaign so far, RMT has secured unconditional talks on Network Rail and the promise of an offer from the train operating companies who up until this point, have made no offer of any kind to our members,” a union spokesperson said.

"Originally Network Rail was intent on imposing changes to maintenance without agreement with RMT.”

RMT stressed that the current dispute ‘remains very much live’ and the union is continuing its re-ballot of members to secure a fresh mandate for action. The result of this is due on Tuesday, November 15.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The threat of strike action and our strongly supported industrial campaign has made the rail employers see sense.

“We have always wanted to secure a negotiated settlement and that is what we will continue to push for in this next phase of intensive talks.

“Our priority is our members, and we are working towards securing a deal on job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions.

“Our re-ballot remains live and if we have to take strike action during the next six months to secure a deal, we will.”

Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said there will be ‘limited ability’ to change the ‘strike timetable’ for Monday.

“Our advice remains to please check before you travel and on Saturday and Monday and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary," he said.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “It is positive that the RMT leadership have stepped back from the brink and called off their strike action.

“Unfortunately, the late notice means that while train companies are working hard to reinstate services, they will remain severely disrupted for our passengers tomorrow and into the early part of next week.

“Our advice remains to please check before you travel and on Saturday and Monday only travel by rail if necessary.”

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