TSSA call off strike action for “intensive talks” but condemns “ridiculously late invitation”

TSSA today announced they were calling off their planned rail strikes on 5, 7, 8 and 9 November after finally receiving an invitation to “intensive talks” from the Rail Delivery Group.

The invitation to talks was received by TSSA less than six hours before strike action in Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railways were due to begin and during action being taken by members at West Midlands Trains.

TSSA was due to take strike action in five different rail companies on different days over the 5, 7 8 and 9 November.

TSSA Interim General Secretary Frank Ward said “We have always said that strikes are a last resort, and we are glad to finally be invited to the first set of formal talks with train operators in months. However, it is ridiculous that the invitation was only issued less than six hours before our strikes were due to begin.

“This will cause rail travel disruption across the weekend, as train companies won’t have time to reinstate cancelled services. This would have been completely avoidable if the Rail Delivery Group and their paymasters at the DfT, and Transport Secretary Mark Harper had invited us to talks sooner.”

Details of the strikes that had been planned can be found here: November Strikes Round-Up | TSSA

The letter received from the RDG is available below.