The train company says it is ‘deeply disappointing’ but insists the action will have ‘no impact’
Avanti West Coast train at Manchester Piccadilly (Image: Network Rail)
The rail union RMT has announced strike action by members who work at Avanti West Coast at Manchester Piccadilly following the ‘unfair dismissal’ of a colleague alleged to have been ‘made a scapegoat for multiple management failings’.
The 24-hour strikes are set to take place on Saturday, August 1, with more strikes planned for August 29 and October 10.
Avanti said the planned action was ‘deeply disappointing’ but insisted it would have ‘no impact’ on its services to and from Manchester Piccadilly, including the popular service to and from London Euston, due to a ‘comprehensive’ contingency plan. It stood by its ‘thorough’ investigation.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
In a statement, the rail union RMT the industrial action was because of ‘the unfair dismissal’ of a member of staff at Avanti West Coast following ‘anonymous allegations’.
The statement said: “Despite taking industrial action against (the) sacking which was based on anonymous allegations, the company has decided to ignore the workforce and uphold the sacking at an appeal hearing.”
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said it was ‘extremely disappointing to sack a worker who had clearly been the victim of a toxic workplace culture which encouraged anonymous and unsubstantiated complaints’.
He went on: “This member has been made a scapegoat for multiple management failings, including the company’s inability to manage its employees to an acceptable standard within the workplace.
“This union is sending the clearest possible message to Avanti West Coast that there will be no let-up until this unfair dismissal is overturned and the issues at the heart of this dispute are resolved.”
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “Following receipt of a number of allegations through our confidential whistleblowing process concerning conduct at Manchester Piccadilly station, we carried out a thorough internal investigation, which has now concluded.
Staff at Avanti West Coast at Manchester Piccadilly railway station plan strike action(Image: Getty Images)
“It is deeply disappointing that the RMT has continued to pursue industrial action that commenced while the matter was still under investigation, despite the completion of that process.
“We remain focused on delivering a reliable service for our customers. If further strike action goes ahead, there will be no impact on our train services to and from Manchester Piccadilly. We have comprehensive contingency plans in place to ensure trains continue to operate normally and that customers receive the support they deserve.”