One strike cancelled, three to go ahead

Following talks with management, ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, has suspended its one-day strike set for 2 July on Avanti West Coast. The dispute was over a new sick note policy which the company has now agreed to remove.

ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan commented: “This outcome shows that when management come to the table and understand our members’ perspective we are able to resolve issues effectively.”

Meanwhile, ASLEF members at 16 companies will refuse overtime between 3-8 July in their ongoing national pay dispute, and a fresh round of strike action is to commence at the 14 train operating companies still in dispute with the RMT transport union over jobs, pay and conditions. The walkouts, by around 20,000 staff, will be on 20, 22 and 29 July.