York: RMT strike to cause disruption for train passengers

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, including station staff and train managers, are to walk out in the long running row over pay, jobs and conditions.

Those travelling by train have been advised to check their travel arrangements because the strike action will see wide variations of services across the country, with trains due to start later and finish much earlier than usual.

In some areas only around half of train services will run, while others will have no services at all.

York Railway Station (Image: Dylan Connell)

Services on some lines are also likely to be affected tonight and Sunday morning.

In York, LNER, which operates the East Coast Main Line, has said it will still be running trains, but with a reduced timetable.

Northern, which operates services between York and Leeds, has warned that “very limited” services will be running.

TransPennine Express, whose services run from York to cities including Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, and to Malton and Scarborough; and CrossCountry, whose services run from York to cities including Birmingham and Bristol; have also warned their customers to expect disruption during the strike.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said the strike will disrupt the plans of families during the summer holidays.

They said: “This will lead to disappointment, frustration and financial strain for tens of thousands of people. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and understand the impact on individuals and businesses.

“Our advice is to check before you travel.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said striking rail workers are still waiting for an invitation back to the negotiating table.

He said: “We’ve been on strike for over a year. This campaign’s probably been running for two years.

“The issues are the same. They’re attacking our jobs. They’re making redundancies. They’re closing services.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

“We haven’t had a pay rise for four years and the people that remain, they want to cut our conditions and issue new contracts of employment.

“There is not an agreement in sight at the moment but we remain available for negotiation with the companies and with the Government – but that’s up to them to invite us back to the table so that we can work up some solutions to the dispute.”

Members of drivers’ union Aslef will stop working overtime next month in a separate dispute over pay.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The Government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform.

“The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.”