AVANTI GUARDS’ WIN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2023 :: RMTnews 6 RMT members working as train managers for Avanti suspended further strike action after the company agreed to engage positively with the union over the imposition of rosters. The company had previously claimed that they were imposing rosters to prevent cancellations but continued to cancel trains and those that did run were hugely overcrowded. Avanti train managers were angry at having their work life balance ruined, with significant cuts to rest days and short notice changes to shift patterns. Morale was at an all-time low and members wanted to see their concerns addressed in order to provide a decent service to passengers. As a result of negotiations rosters have been agreed with agreed additional rest days, training days were re-inserted and stability had returned in terms of industrial relations at the company. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch welcomed the victory and congratulated members for the stand they had taken. "It is unfortunate that train mangers felt they had to fight for their rights at work in this way but it has forced the company to treat reps with the respect they deserve. “I would also like to thank the reps and officials for taking up this struggle for fairness at work which has clearly paid off," he said. AVANTI GUARDS’ WIN Union finally wins acceptable roster agreements after taking strike action