Train strikes: RMT union to stage walkout on Virgin rail services

‘The message needs to get through to Sir Richard Branson on his luxury island retreat in the sunshine’ — RMT union

Rail passengers on the UK’s leading long-distance network face disruption and cancellations after Virgin Trains staff belonging to the RMT union voted to strike by a majority of 10 to one.

Train managers, catering staff and station teams working on the line from London Euston to Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow are demanding “pay justice”.

The dispute centres on a “buy-out” deal agreed with the train drivers’ union, ASLEF, in which the operator is adding £500 to pensionable salaries to settle a claim for a reduction in the working week.

The RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “All our members are demanding is a suitable and equal offer to that given to drivers to buy out their claim for a reduction in the base working week.

“We have made it clear to the company that the inequality and underhanded approach of Virgin will be fought tooth and nail. We will not accept our members being dealt with less favourably than others.

“The message needs to get through to Sir Richard Branson on his luxury island retreat in the sunshine that those who are financing his lifestyle through their hard graft have had enough and are prepared to fight for justice in their workplaces.”

The train operator said that in the event of a strike it would be able to maintain a “majority” of services.

A spokesperson for Virgin Trains said: “We are disappointed by the result of the RMT’s ballot, but can reassure customers that we will be able to run the majority of services during any industrial action.

“We have offered a 3.2 per cent annual pay increase at a time when the average increase across public and private sector employees is around two percent.

“We remain open to continuing talks with the RMT.”

The union said: “We remain available for serious talks aimed at righting this wrong.”

Any industrial action could jeopardise the pre-Christmas rush.

Virgin Trains East Coast is a separate operator and is unaffected.

Meanwhile tens of thousands of airline passengers had their travel plans wrecked as French air-traffic controllers went on strike as part of a nationwide protest by transport workers against labour reforms.

British Airways cancelled 30 flights to and from Heathrow, serving Switzerland and Spain as well as France. BA told passengers: “Yet again this will unfortunately bring another wave of unnecessary disruption for some customers travelling in Europe.

“We will be using larger aircraft, where possible, to help affected customers.”