Major train strikes confirmed for festive period

The union has said 'sustained strike action' is their only option

Along with the days over the New Year, members of the RMT union will also walk out every Sunday from 12 January to 25 May.

It comes after they rejected an offer aimed at resolving a dispute over rest day working.

The RMT said "sustained strike action" was now the "only way to focus management's minds on reaching a negotiated settlement".

Avanti West Coast operates trains between London and Scotland, linking the capital to Manchester and Birmingham as well. The train company said in a statement the strikes will cause "significant disruption" for customers on the West Coast Main Line "over an extended period."

Industrial action for 22, 23 and 29 December had been called off last week as the RMT considered an offer to resolve the dispute.

But 83 per cent of the 400 members involved rejected the deal, which included higher rest day working payments and more organised allocation of shifts on rest days.

The dispute has resolved around Avanti train managers being asked to work on their days off because of staff shortages. Train managers usually work a 41-hour week.

Avanti has said it is "disappointed" the union rejected what it described as a "very reasonable" offer.

The company said they "remain open to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute."

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