Train passengers have been warned to expect fresh festive chaos after train managers announced strike action in a row over working conditions.
RMT members at Avanti West Coast are to strike in a dispute over rest day working in the days before Christmas, when many Brits will be hoping to travel to family or friends.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out on December 22, 23 and 29.
Union members voted overwhelmingly against the company’s proposals.
It is understood Avanti services will be extremely limited on the days of the strikes and a revised timetable will be issued from December 14.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Avanti West Coast’s proposals have been decisively rejected by our train managers, sending a clear message to management that the current arrangements are unacceptable.
‘Train managers are being treated unfairly compared to senior managers, who receive significant payments for covering these roles.
‘Our members have had enough, and this strike action demonstrates their determination to win a fair deal.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action
It is understood Avanti services will be extremely limited on the days of the strikes and a revised timetable will be issued from December 14
‘It’s time for Avanti to put forward serious proposals that reflect the vital contribution of our train managers to the railway.
‘We remain ready to reach a negotiated settlement and we urge management to show they are serious about resolving this dispute.’
Customers who have tickets for December 22 and 23 will be able to use them on alternative services between December 16 and December 24, while those with tickets for December 29 will be able to use them on alternative services between December 28 and January 3.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: ‘At one of our busiest and most important times of the year when our customers should be making journeys to visit family or friends during the holiday period, they will now face significant disruption because of these strikes.
‘We are disappointed RMT have voted to decline the very reasonable offer made to them to resolve the Rest Day Working dispute and prevent inconvenience to those many people who will be travelling on the West Coast Main Line over this time. We will continue to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.’