Europe



A planned 48 hour strike by train drivers on Arriva Trains Wales from Thursday has been suspended. The move followed last minute talks between the company and officials from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and Aslef.

Welsh train drivers strike called off.

Welsh train drivers strike called off. Image by Hugh Lllewelyn / CC BY-SA 2.0

An RMT spokesperson said: “After important progress in last minute talks with RMT and Aslef and after careful consideration by the union’s executive, we have agreed to suspend the strike action due to start on Arriva Trains Wales at midnight to allow for further discussions. Members have been instructed to work normally.”

A company statement said: “Arriva Trains Wales can confirm that the proposed 48 hour industrial action by driver unions on Thursday November 12 and Friday November 13 has been suspended.

“We aim to operate a normal service on all Arriva Trains Wales routes on Thursday November 12 – Friday November 13 2015. Please note there may be the possibility of some minor service recovery issues on Thursday November 12. ”

The strike had been planned mainly over pay and would have crippled services for two days if it had gone ahead.

Human resources director for Arriva Trains Wales, Gareth Thomas, said: “We are pleased that we have been able to avert the proposed 48 hours strike and look forward to a successful conclusion to these on-going negotiations without further threat of industrial action. “We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption to our customers who have already made alternative arrangements for the next two days.”

Arriva said its pay offer included an above inflation three-year deal with a 2.5% increase in year one, reducing the maximum working day to nine hours and 30 minutes from 10 hours, 30 minutes and an agreement to conduct a feasibility study into improving rest break arrangements.

(Press Association)