Travel across London and the nation will now not be affected by a series of planned train strikes, the RMT union has said.
In a statement on Friday, the RMT said that the strikes have been cancelled to enter “a period of intensive negotiations” with Network Rail and the rail companies.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the threat of strike action “has made the rail employers see sense”.
“We have always wanted to secure a negotiated settlement and that is what we will continue to push for in this next phase of intensive talks.
“Our priority is our members, and we are working towards securing a deal on job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions.”
RMT members working for the train operating companies had planned to walk out on Saturday 5 November and on Wednesday 9 November.
Network Rail members would have also walked out on those days, and on Monday 7 November.
Reacting to the news, Network Rail’s chief negotiator Tim Shoveller said: “The very late notice means that services for tomorrow cannot be reinstated and will remain extremely limited, and while we, and our train company partners, will work without pause over the weekend, there will be limited ability to change the ‘strike timetable’ for Monday.”
He added: “We look forward to getting back round the table with all our Trades Unions early next week to see if the progress made this week can be built on, and a resolution found.”
Featured Image Credit: Matthew Black @Flickr
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