Train managers picket in Wolverhampton for second time in dispute over rest-day working

Around 70 train manager members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT)  based locally are staging a walkout over a dispute with the company over working on rest days. 

A picket is set up outside the city's railway station for the second time this week.

To compensate Avanti is running one train an hour between Euston and Wolverhampton via Birmingham New Street. These trains will operate during limited hours – with the first train of the day leaving Euston around 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing before 5pm.

RMT Midlands Regional Organiser, John Watson, said the dispute involved around 70 full and part-time train managers based in the Black Country. No picket is  running outside Stafford Railway Station.

Both Avanti and the RMT say they are prepared to discuss ways to resolve the dispute. 

In the mean time the train managers are planning to take further action on Sundays from January 12 until May 25. 

Avanti's customer experience director Kathryn O’Brien said: “We’re disappointed by the RMT calling strike action on 2 January. Our customers will face significantly disrupted journeys as a result, and I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.

“On the strike day we’ll have a significantly reduced service, so customers with tickets for January 2 are strongly advised to travel on alternative dates or claim a full fee-free refund. We remain open to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute.”

An RMT spokesperson said: “It is wholly unacceptable that replacement managers can be paid around £500 per shift, about double what our Avanti members earn—while not providing the same service for passengers."