Train strike called off after rail unions both pull out
A strike called by rail workers in the UK next Monday and Tuesday has been called off after both rail unions involved in pay disputes suspended the action after receiving a new offer from Network Rail.
Leaders of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union joined the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), whose members were due to walk out for 24 hours from 17:00 on Bank Holiday Monday, in confirming that they had received a better offer from Network Rail.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, said: "As a result of this, they have suspended the planned industrial action, pending the outcome of a meeting of our workplace representatives next week."
The TSSA suspended action earlier on Thursday afternoon, but confirmation of whether the strike would still go ahead rested on an announcement from the larger RMT, which has more than five times as many members as the TSSA.
RMT confirmed it was also suspending action at 14:45.
Both unions has also been locked in talks with National Rail for the last four days.
Rail firms had cancelled services on Monday and Tuesday in advance and advised passengers not to travel unless the industrial action is called off.