10 January 2025
RMT Press Office
Strike action by RMT members at Avanti West Coast will take place this Sunday after the company failed to table any new proposals during recent talks to resolve the ongoing dispute.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:
“It is wrong that Avanti is paying replacement managers up to £500 per shift—around double what our members earn—while these managers fail to deliver the same service for passengers.
“This destructive approach is typical of train operating companies and stems from the failed policies of the previous Conservative government, which rewarded excessive payouts for managers rather than resolving disputes fairly.
“Avanti could make better use of its resources by reaching a fair settlement with our members, which would also be far more cost-effective.
"At the core of this issue is a severe staffing shortage, which has created an over-reliance on overtime in the first place.
“Avanti needs to table a revised offer that meets the aspirations of our members. We remain ready to negotiate and reach a fair deal.“
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