Is there a train strike today, March 30? Rail industrial action latest
With strikes across various industries, and the rail network recently in chaos, it’s easy to get confused about what’s happening on the trains. Are they running, or not?
Workers were set to walk out today (Thursday, March 30) in the dispute between the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and the Rail Delivery Group (RGD) over pay.
In the meantime, the RMT reached agreement with Network Rail in their separate dispute, which involved 20,000 staff.
But that still leaves tens of thousands of RMT workers at loggerheads with RDG bosses.
So, following the news that the RDG has tabled a new proposal, and talks between the two continuing, are the planned rail strikes still going ahead today?
Here’s what you need to know.
Is there a train strike today?
The RMT strike action which was due to take place today (Thursday, March 30) and Saturday, April 1 has been called off.
That means trains are expected to run as normal.
The advice from National Rail is that these companies ‘are working to restore a normal service where possible’.
This indicates you may experience some delays and should check your journey before travelling.
Which companies were originally due to strike today?
The companies in dispute with the RDG are:
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Gatwick Express
- Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)
- Great Northern
- Great Western Railway
- LNER
- London Northwestern Railway
- Northern
- Southern
- Southeastern
- South Western Railway
- Thameslink
- TransPennine Express
- West Midlands Railway
Could there be more rail strikes?
Although there are currently no strikes planned, it’s certainly possible more could be announced.
The RMT said the proposal tabled by the RDG ‘could lead to a resolution to resolve the current national rail dispute through a new offer.
‘The NEC has therefore suspended strike action scheduled for March 30 and April 1.
‘RMT will have further talks with the RDG with a view to securing a new offer on pay, job security and working conditions.’
But the RMT added: ‘The dispute remains on and the union will continue to make preparations for a re-ballot when the current mandates runs out in mid-May.’
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘This marks a positive step and takes us closer to resolving this dispute.
‘After Network Rail employees overwhelmingly voted to accept a similar pay offer, we’re once again asking the RMT executive to do the right thing and put this fair and reasonable offer to its members, giving them the pay rise they deserve and helping us end this dispute.’
Unions must give at least two week’s notice before taking industrial action by law, so even if they announced a strike today there couldn’t be a walkout until April 13 at the earliest.
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