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Rail unions call off national bank holiday strike | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Rail unions have called off a national bank holiday strike after receiving a "revised offer" in their pay dispute with Network Rail. | |
Members of the RMT and TSSA unions had been due to walk out for 24 hours from 17:00 BST on Monday in a row over pay. | |
The RMT said the union's executive had decided to suspend the strike, after the TSSA earlier called off its action. | |
It is not clear to what extent train services cancelled on Monday and Tuesday will be reinstated. | |
Union negotiators had been involved in four days of talks with Network Rail at conciliation service Acas. | |
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Following the Acas talks, RMT has received a revised offer that enables us to suspend the planned industrial action while we consult in full with our Network Rail representatives." | |
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, said: "Our negotiating team at Acas has received a revised offer from Network Rail. | Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, said: "Our negotiating team at Acas has received a revised offer from Network Rail. |
"As a result of this, they have suspended the planned industrial action, pending the outcome of a meeting of our workplace representatives next week." | "As a result of this, they have suspended the planned industrial action, pending the outcome of a meeting of our workplace representatives next week." |
Travel advice | |
Lawyers for Network Rail halted plans to take legal action against the TSSA in the light of developments. | |
Bruce Carr QC, for Network Rail, told a judge at a High Court hearing in London that Network Rail was not proceeding with an application for an injunction. | |
He told Mr Justice Jay: "There has been progress." | |
Rail passengers were advised to expected travel chaos and not to travel if a strike by thousands of signallers, maintenance staff and station workers went ahead. | |
Earlier, Virgin trains cancelled all West Coast mainline services on Monday and Tuesday and warned that the East Coast line would also be badly affected. | Earlier, Virgin trains cancelled all West Coast mainline services on Monday and Tuesday and warned that the East Coast line would also be badly affected. |
However, it has said it would hope to run a "near normal" service if the strike was called off with enough notice. | However, it has said it would hope to run a "near normal" service if the strike was called off with enough notice. |
Widespread cancellations were also expected on CrossCountry Trains, Chiltern Railways, Arriva Trains Wales, Southeastern and South West Trains. | Widespread cancellations were also expected on CrossCountry Trains, Chiltern Railways, Arriva Trains Wales, Southeastern and South West Trains. |
Rail companies had said further disruption and delays were likely on Wednesday, as services returned to normal. | |