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Train strikes from Saturday suspended, union says Train strikes: Series of strikes from Saturday suspended
(33 minutes later)
A series of strikes by railway workers planned for 5, 7 and 9 November has been suspended, the RMT union has said.A series of strikes by railway workers planned for 5, 7 and 9 November has been suspended, the RMT union has said.
The union, which represents rail workers, said it would now enter "a period of intensive negotiations" with Network Rail and the rail companies. But Network Rail warned that the late notice meant services on Saturday would remain "extremely limited", and trains on Monday are likely to be affected.
The RMT, which represents rail workers, said it would now enter "a period of intensive negotiations" with Network Rail and the rail companies.
The strike had been called in a dispute over pay and conditions.The strike had been called in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Network Rail welcomed the announcement but warned that the late notice meant services on Saturday would remain "extremely limited". They involved staff at Network Rail, which employs signalling workers across England, Scotland and Wales.
The strikes involved staff at Network Rail, which employs signalling workers across England, Scotland and Wales. As a result, the action had been expected to have a major impact across the network, with only a fifth of services due to run.
As a result, the action had been expected to have a major impact on services across the network.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the threat of strike action "has made the rail employers see sense".RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the threat of strike action "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."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 priority is our members, and we are working towards securing a deal on job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions."
He also warned that if the union felt the need to take strike action during the next six months, it would. He added that there had been "the promise of an offer" on pay from the rail operating companies.
Tim Shoveller, Network Rail's chief negotiator, welcomed the news but said: "The very late notice means that services for tomorrow cannot be reinstated and will remain extremely limited, and while we, and our train company partners, will work without pause over the weekend, there will be limited ability to change the 'strike timetable' for Monday." Mr Lynch also warned that if the union felt the need to take strike action during the next six months, it would still do so.
He added: "We look forward to getting back round the table with all our Trades Unions early next week to see if the progress made this week can be built on, and a resolution found." Tim Shoveller, Network Rail's chief negotiator, welcomed the suspension of the strike but said: "The very late notice means that services for tomorrow cannot be reinstated and will remain extremely limited," adding that services on Monday are also likely to be disrupted.
Network Rail continues to advise passengers to check before they travel, and on Saturday and Monday to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary. He said Network Rail "look forward to getting back round the table with all our trades unions early next week to see if the progress made this week can be built on, and a resolution found."
Network Rail continues to advise passengers to check before they travel, and to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary on Saturday and Monday.
Mark Harper, the UK's new transport secretary, said that the suspension of the strike action was "a positive development for passengers up and down the country".
But he cautioned that the very late notice means "there will still be significant disruption across the network tomorrow and into Monday".
He added that calling off the latest strikes has given negotiations between unions and employers a "better chance of success".