Rail union calls off one day of strike action out of respect for Poppy Day

Thousands of members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association were due to strike in Network Rail, Avanti West Coast and South Western Railway.

TSSA members in Greater Anglia and Great Western Railway were due to take action short of a strike on the same day.

TSSA interim general secretary Frank Ward said, "Once we became aware of Poppy Day and the impact our industrial action could have on Royal British Legion's fundraising, we took the decision to call off our action.

"However, we will still be taking industrial action on dates from November 4 to 8, with action short of a strike taking place throughout November in some rail companies.

"Our members do not take industrial action lightly. This dispute could be resolved speedily if Mark Harper (new Transport Secretary) can avoid the mistakes of Grant Shapps and use his powers to mandate a fair pay rise, reasonable terms and conditions and no compulsory redundancies.

"The Tories have played politics with Britain's railways, preventing Department for Transport companies from negotiating with the unions and the result has been a deeply unhappy workforce and misery for commuters.

"It's high time the train operators got round the table with us and negotiated a fair solution."

TSSA members involved in the action include staff working in ticket offices, stations, control rooms and other support roles across Britain.

TSSA is seeking a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies, a pay rise which meets the cost-of-living crisis and no unagreed changes to terms and conditions.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has also rearranged a strike planned for November 3.