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| Avanti West Coast rail services axed amid strike action | Avanti West Coast rail services axed amid strike action |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| One train per hour will run from London to Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow | One train per hour will run from London to Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow |
| A range of Avanti West Coast rail services will be axed throughout Saturday amid strike action by train managers. | A range of Avanti West Coast rail services will be axed throughout Saturday amid strike action by train managers. |
| Only one train per hour will run from London to Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow, the firm said. | Only one train per hour will run from London to Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow, the firm said. |
| It also apologised after announcing no services would pass through North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool and Edinburgh. | It also apologised after announcing no services would pass through North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool and Edinburgh. |
| The RMT union said the strike was the "culmination of months of neglect". | The RMT union said the strike was the "culmination of months of neglect". |
| Avanti train managers are taking the action in a row over the "imposition of rosters", an RMT representative said, and also plan strike action on 6 November. | Avanti train managers are taking the action in a row over the "imposition of rosters", an RMT representative said, and also plan strike action on 6 November. |
| Commuters are encouraged to check timetables before travelling | Commuters are encouraged to check timetables before travelling |
| Earlier in October, Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said Avanti services had been "unacceptable" following a timetable change in August. | Earlier in October, Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said Avanti services had been "unacceptable" following a timetable change in August. |
| The operator was widely criticised for cutting services from seven trains per hour to a minimum of four and for suspending ticket sales, blaming "severe staff shortages". | The operator was widely criticised for cutting services from seven trains per hour to a minimum of four and for suspending ticket sales, blaming "severe staff shortages". |
| It has previously relied on workers doing overtime to run services. But the firm said train drivers suddenly stopped volunteering for overtime in early August, resulting in a lack of available staff. | It has previously relied on workers doing overtime to run services. But the firm said train drivers suddenly stopped volunteering for overtime in early August, resulting in a lack of available staff. |
| RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, described Avanti as "one of the worst operators we have ever tried to negotiate with". | RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, described Avanti as "one of the worst operators we have ever tried to negotiate with". |
| He added: "They have treated our members appallingly and this strike action is the culmination of months of neglect and a strong response to the arrogance bosses have shown." | He added: "They have treated our members appallingly and this strike action is the culmination of months of neglect and a strong response to the arrogance bosses have shown." |
| November strikes | November strikes |
| Avanti's contract to manage the London-Glasgow service was recently extended until April, as the Department for Transport considers if the firm can run "this crucial route to a standard passengers deserve and expect". | Avanti's contract to manage the London-Glasgow service was recently extended until April, as the Department for Transport considers if the firm can run "this crucial route to a standard passengers deserve and expect". |
| Between April 2021 and March 2022, there were 21.6m passenger journeys on the service, according to government data. | Between April 2021 and March 2022, there were 21.6m passenger journeys on the service, according to government data. |
| Before Avanti's recent problems, they were expected to secure a new contract for 10 years, which would include continuing as the shadow operator for the high-speed HS2 rail links. | Before Avanti's recent problems, they were expected to secure a new contract for 10 years, which would include continuing as the shadow operator for the high-speed HS2 rail links. |
| The firm urged commuters to "check your entire journey before you travel" on strike days and said those who booked tickets for the affected days could claim full refunds. | The firm urged commuters to "check your entire journey before you travel" on strike days and said those who booked tickets for the affected days could claim full refunds. |
| The hourly services will travel via the West Midlands, including stops in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, due to ongoing Network Rail works between Rugby and Stafford. | |
| An Avanti representative said: "We're disappointed with this industrial action and we are sorry for the inconvenience it will cause." | An Avanti representative said: "We're disappointed with this industrial action and we are sorry for the inconvenience it will cause." |
| More RMT strikes over pay and conditions are expected across different operators on 3, 5, and 7 November. | More RMT strikes over pay and conditions are expected across different operators on 3, 5, and 7 November. |