Worthing MP welcomes rail strike postponement

A WORTHING MP has welcomed the postponement of strikes by Network Rail workers.
Worthing West MP Sir Peter BottomleyWorthing West MP Sir Peter Bottomley
Worthing West MP Sir Peter Bottomley

Travel chaos had been predicted ahead of the proposed strikes by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union over pay.

But a new offer from Network Rail has persuaded the RMT to suspend industrial action.

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Sir Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West, said: “I welcome the news that the threatened RMT strike will not take place this week.

“Commuters from Worthing and district together with holidaymakers coming to our beaches will be able to travel. It is notable that rail staff have responsible work; so do many they carry in the trains. Over the past four years Network Rail staff have enjoyed pay rises eight times higher than other public sector workers. Two other rail unions had decided to ballot members without threats on industrial action.”

A 24-hour strike from 5pm on Thursday and a 48-hour strike from 5pm next Tuesday had been proposed. In addition RMT members had been instructed not to work any overtime, additional hours, extended shifts nor carry out any callouts between midnight on Saturday and midnight next Friday.

Conciliation service ACAS has been working with both parties in an attempt to broker a deal.

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RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Following extensive ACAS talks throughout the weekend RMT has now received a revised offer that enables us to suspend the planned industrial action while we consult in full on the details of the revised package with our Network Rail representatives.”

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