Avanti West Coast has cancelled its services this weekend due to national strike action by workers.
The train operator announced that all of its services will not run on Saturday, November 26 and has warned people to "not attempt to travel". It comes following a dispute between the ASLEF union and the industry over pay.
Train drivers will walk out at 12 train operating companies on Saturday over the disputes, with the union highlighting that, as of yet, there has been no new offer on pay. Avanti has advised customers who have booked tickets to travel on Saturday to claim a full, free refund - otherwise, the tickets pre-booked on the strike day can be used between now and up to two days after the original travel date.
In a tweet, the company said: "Due to industrial action, there will be no services on Saturday 26 November. Please do not attempt to travel."
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Barry Milsom, Executive Director of Operations and Safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “Our customers are facing another weekend of disruption due to strike action. ASLEF’s decision to walkout means we will have no services on 26 November, and we’re telling customers not to travel and instead make their journeys on another date or claim a full refund.
"With many destinations on the West Coast Main Line having no rail connectivity on this day, anyone who needs to travel is advised to seek alternative transport. I would like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding, as their journeys are impacted once again."
Mick Whelan, ASLEF general secretary, commented: “We regret that passengers will be inconvenienced for another day. We don’t want to be taking this action. Withdrawing our labour is always a last resort for a trade union. We have come to the table, as we always will, in good faith but while the industry continues to make no offer – due to the dodgy deal they signed with the DfT – we have no choice but to take strike action again.
“They want drivers to take a real terms pay cut. With inflation now well into double figures, train drivers who kept Britain moving through the pandemic are now being expected to work just as hard this year as last year but for less. Most of these drivers have not had an increase in salary since 2019.
“We want the companies – which are making huge profits – to make a proper pay offer so that our members can keep up with the cost of living.”
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