RMT Strike (Avanti) February

[dk1]

I guess it's with good intent. Give them a chance, they've shown their hand now so strikes will resume for the foreseeable unfortunately. Other TOCs will follow

I'm not aware of amy similar disputes ongoing at other TOCs.

 

[Starmill]

Yes i know but still why?


That seems somewhat nieve to believe things on that basis. I know its a different government but both RMT & ASLEF have been caught out before.

Look at it this way. The customers who couldn't travel owing to the strikes were still paid their refunds if they asked, and a huge number of the trains didn't run anyway. Meanwhile the TMs who worked got paid, and Avanti senior management have egg on their faces.

 

[dk1]

Look at it this way. The customers who couldn't travel owing to the strikes were still paid their refunds if they asked, and a huge number of the trains didn't run anyway. Meanwhile the TMs who worked got paid, and Avanti senior management have egg on their faces.

Very true in that respect.

 

[Kev77]

The DfT will allow TOCs to negotiate directly with the RMT. It was under the last government that the DfT wouldn't allow this.

 

[dk1]

The DfT will allow TOCs to negotiate directly with the RMT. It was under the last government that the DfT wouldn't allow this.

This is what I understood but wondered if it was just for the future pay deals at local level. I am hearing rumours that the pay talks for this April’s rise are proceeding well.

 

[Starmill]

I'm not aware of amy similar disputes ongoing at other TOCs.

There's a similar problem happening at Northern, although presumably one with quite different underlying causes. I am not sure it'd be accurate to call that a dispute, though perhaps it could be. Whereas this certainly is one.

 

[dk1]

There's a similar problem happening at Northern, although presumably one with quite different underlying causes. I am not sure it'd be accurate to call that a dispute, though perhaps it could be. Whereas this certainly is one.

That doesn’t surprise with that operator I’m afraid.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I'm not aware of amy similar disputes ongoing at other TOCs.

Very likely WMT will soon, resolutions lodged at several branch meetings recently. Awaiting next company meeting on Feb 6th before notion to ballot

 

[Tezza1978]

Any further update on this? Last I read a few days ago (can't remember where) the RMT had said they were back in talks with Avanti and keen to reach a resolution.

My wife and mother-in-law are heading to London for a 2 day trip 5-6 April and I haven't been able to buy them the return journey portion ticket as no timetables. Hoping its resolved by then....

 

[styles]

Any further update on this? Last I read a few days ago (can't remember where) the RMT had said they were back in talks with Avanti and keen to reach a resolution.

My wife and mother-in-law are heading to London for a 2 day trip 5-6 April and I haven't been able to buy them the return journey portion ticket as no timetables. Hoping its resolved by then....

That's pretty much the latest.

RMT have suspended the next 3 strike days/Sundays while talks start up again.

RMT suspends three strikes on Avanti to allow intensive talks

Rail union, RMT has suspended strike action by Avanti train managers for the next three Sundays to allow for intensive negotiations in the long-running dispute over rest day working.

www.rmt.org.uk

 

[Jamesrob637]

That's pretty much the latest.

RMT have suspended the next 3 strike days/Sundays while talks start up again.

RMT suspends three strikes on Avanti to allow intensive talks

Rail union, RMT has suspended strike action by Avanti train managers for the next three Sundays to allow for intensive negotiations in the long-running dispute over rest day working.

www.rmt.org.uk

So still strike timetable this Sunday, but normal the following two Sundays?

 

[styles]

So still strike timetable this Sunday, but normal the following two Sundays?

It's normal timetable this Sunday and the following two Sundays according to Avanti:

We’re pleased that the RMT has called off its strike action for Avanti West Coast on Sundays from 16 February to 2 March inclusive.On all three dates (16 and 23 February, and 2 March), we’ll now run our normal Sunday timetable. Tickets for 16 February are expected back on sale tomorrow and the other two dates’ tickets are on sale now.If you prebooked to travel on 16 or 23 February before the strikes were announced and called off, you can still claim a refund or travel flexibly as outlined below.

Strike action | Travel Information | Avanti West Coast

Information on train times, strike information and the latest travel updates on our network.

www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

 

[40129]

Just checked traintimes.org.uk and it does indeed look like the normal timetable has been reinstated for this Sunday (Feb 16)

 

[dvboy]

If you prebooked to travel on 16 or 23 February before the strikes were announced and called off, you can still claim a refund or travel flexibly as outlined below.

But not 2 March? We had booked accommodation hoping to use the tickets on the days either side.

 

[styles]

But not 2 March? We had booked accommodation hoping to use the tickets on the days either side.

Not sure I follow the question.

If you've got tickets for the 2nd March, those are still valid, and the booked service is likely to be quieter.

 

[Starmill]

Not sure I follow the question.

If you've got tickets for the 2nd March, those are still valid, and the booked service is likely to be quieter.

If the customer had already committed to an extra night of accommodation at their own expense, they'll no longer want to travel on their originally booked service.

 

[styles]

If the customer had already committed to an extra night of accommodation at their own expense, they'll no longer want to travel on their originally booked service.

If you book a service for a strike day, then the strike is cancelled, your service continues to run in addition to other services, I don't think you can realistically expect the train operating company to make your ticket more flexible. If anything you could claim on travel insurance, but even that would be a push.

 

[Kev77]

Next 3 Sunday strikes cancelled to allow talks

 

[dk1]

Next 3 Sunday strikes cancelled to allow talks

That was established yesterday

 

[Starmill]

If you book a service for a strike day, then the strike is cancelled, your service continues to run in addition to other services, I don't think you can realistically expect the train operating company to make your ticket more flexible.

Why not? It's their fault for messing you around. If the customer wanted Avanti to cover the cost of the accommodation I agree this would be abortive. But surely it's unreasonable for Avanti to tell you your train is cancelled and then reinstate it several weeks later and expect you not to have acted differently during the time they cancelled your service without an alternative?

If anything you could claim on travel insurance, but even that would be a push.

The strike is Avanti's fault, so travel insurance probably wouldn't pay out.

 

[styles]

Why not? It's their fault for messing you around. If the customer wanted Avanti to cover the cost of the accommodation I agree this would be abortive. But surely it's unreasonable for Avanti to tell you your train is cancelled and then reinstate it several weeks later and expect you not to have acted differently during the time they cancelled your service without an alternative?


The strike is Avanti's fault, so travel insurance probably wouldn't pay out.

It's not Avanti's fault a passenger chose to stay overnight instead of not buying a ticket to begin with, or travelling on a LNWR service or flying or taking the coach.

I think it's unreasonable to expect an operator who is providing customers with additional options to also allow customers who booked tickets fully accepting the stricter conditions to then travel more flexibly.

It wouldn't happen with airlines or coaches either.

My travel insurance covers strike action. They wouldn't pay out for an operator fulfilling their contract with me but offering additional travel options though. Quite reasonable I say.

 

[Starmill]

It's not Avanti's fault a passenger chose to stay overnight instead of not buying a ticket to begin with, or travelling on a LNWR service or flying or taking the coach.

But... It is? Avanti won't provide any alternative on the day. What else is the customer meant to do?

I think it's unreasonable to expect an operator who is providing customers with additional options to also allow customers who booked tickets fully accepting the stricter conditions to then travel more flexibly.

I think it's unreasonable to tell the customer for several weeks "no trains, no alternative transport". But they did it anyway?

It wouldn't happen with airlines or coaches either.

Only because they'd have gone out of business if they did this.

 

[styles]

But... It is? Avanti won't provide any alternative on the day. What else is the customer meant to do?

For customers who have already bought an Advance ticket for a specific service which is being honoured, why would they? They're still honouring their contract with the customer.

If the customer likes the look of one of these new train times they can buy a new ticket.

 

[Starmill]

My travel insurance covers strike action. They wouldn't pay out for an operator fulfilling their contract with me but offering additional travel options though.

You're going to need to clarify. What additional options?

For customers who have already bought an Advance ticket for a specific service which is being honoured, why would they? They're still honouring their contract with the customer.

Are you saying breaking the contract is being undone retrospectively? Presumably you'd also be one of the people saying the customer should have checked in advance and made their own alternative arrangements if the person concerned had turned up at the station without making accommodation booking in good time? A little cakism goes a long way

 

[styles]

You're going to need to clarify. What additional options?

The extra services Avanti are going to run.

You're going to need to clarify. What additional options?


Are you saying breaking the contract is being undone retrospectively? Presumably you'd also be one of the people saying the customer should have checked in advance and made their own alternative arrangements if the person concerned had turned up at the station without making accommodation booking in good time? A little cakism goes a long way

No breaking of the contract is being done. That's the point.

 

[Starmill]

If the customer likes the look of one of these new train times they can buy a new ticket.

Hopefully they got a screenshot of the website when it said travel was allowed on an alternative date.

No breaking of the contract is being done. That's the point.

But it was. Avanti announced so, many weeks ago, now. Perhaps you could give me a precise deadline for when the cutoffs are to make alternative arrangements?

 

[styles]

Hopefully they got a screenshot of the website when it said travel was allowed on an alternative date.


But it was. Avanti announced so, many weeks ago, now. Perhaps you could give me a precise deadline for when the cutoffs are to make alternative arrangements?

Yes and people bought tickets for services which are being honoured. The contract is fulfilled.

If people had their trains cancelled then reinstated their ticket is flexible or fully refundable.

Seems perfectly fair.

 

[Starmill]

Yes and people bought tickets for services which are being honoured. The contract is fulfilled.

If people had their trains cancelled then reinstated their ticket is flexible or fully refundable.

Seems perfectly fair.

It's happened to me a great many times where the train has been cancelled and I haven't gone to the station for it. It's then been reinstated and ran on time. It's tough luck, the company are still obligated to allow me to use the alternative routes provided and compensate me for the delay, or alternatively to provide me with the refund according to whichever was my earlier choice, and it's simply tough luck on their part.

If they don't like it, they could have tried resolving the dispute. But as it is they're getting the benefits of that so they'll just have to pay out.

 

[dvboy]

If you book a service for a strike day, then the strike is cancelled, your service continues to run in addition to other services, I don't think you can realistically expect the train operating company to make your ticket more flexible. If anything you could claim on travel insurance, but even that would be a push.

It's not Avanti's fault a passenger chose to stay overnight instead of not buying a ticket to begin with, or travelling on a LNWR service or flying or taking the coach.

I think it's unreasonable to expect an operator who is providing customers with additional options to also allow customers who booked tickets fully accepting the stricter conditions to then travel more flexibly.

It wouldn't happen with airlines or coaches either.

My travel insurance covers strike action. They wouldn't pay out for an operator fulfilling their contract with me but offering additional travel options though. Quite reasonable I say.

But... It is? Avanti won't provide any alternative on the day. What else is the customer meant to do?


I think it's unreasonable to tell the customer for several weeks "no trains, no alternative transport". But they did it anyway?


Only because they'd have gone out of business if they did this.

We booked the train tickets with Avanti back on 12 December 2024 before the strike was announced.
Avanti have since said that on strike days tickets can be used a day either side. This is still the case for 16 and 23 February.

Avanti West Coast tickets dated 16 February can be used any time from Saturday 15 February up until Tuesday 18 February.
Avanti West Coast tickets dated 23 February can be used any time from Saturday 22 February up until Tuesday 25 February.
You don’t need to make any changes to your ticket in order to travel flexibly – our onboard and station teams will be ready to accept your tickets as outlined above.
We’ll provide more information on your ticket options for future upcoming Sunday strikes as soon as possible.

We booked accommodation on Thursday because we didn't want to leave it any later and end up with very expensive or no options for accommodation in Central London on a Saturday night (we are going to two pre-booked events on the Sunday).

On Friday the strike was cancelled. So now we are waiting for Avanti to tell us if our tickets will be valid for travel in Saturday 1 March, or if we will need to buy new tickets.

 

[Starmill]

We booked the train tickets with Avanti back on 12 December 2024 before the strike was announced.
Avanti have since said that on strike days tickets can be used a day either side. This is still the case for 16 and 23 February.



We booked accommodation on Thursday because we didn't want to leave it any later and end up with very expensive or no options for accommodation in Central London on a Saturday night (we are going to two pre-booked events on the Sunday).

On Friday the strike was cancelled. So now we are waiting for Avanti to tell us if our tickets will be valid for travel in Saturday 1 March, or if we will need to buy new tickets.

If Avanti said this about your specific travel date, you're entitled to rely on it and travel on the revised date. You're also entitled to swap back.