RMT suspends planned Avanti walkout in boost for Britons fearing Christmas chaos

However, the RMT this morning confirmed train managers will now vote on Avanti West Coast’s new offer.

The trade union confirmed that the new offer contains enhanced Rest Day Working payments, discussions on a new technology agreement and the creation of a Rest Day Working allocation agreement.

The RMT suspended strike action just hours after Sir Keir Starmer urged Mick Lynch to “rethink” planned industrial action over the festive period.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “The public will be rightly disappointed in that action.

“The last thing people want to see over the Christmas period is disruption to trains.”

The Government has also raised broader concerns about potential staffing shortages affecting Christmas train services, as highlighted by the rail minister in Parliament.

Lord Hendy informed MPs that Department for Transport officials will maintain close monitoring of the situation throughout the festive period.

Many train operators face ongoing challenges as Sunday working isn’t included in numerous drivers’ and crew members’ contracts, often relying on voluntary paid shifts.

This staffing arrangement regularly results in hundreds of cancelled trains across Britain, particularly affecting services on significant dates like Father’s Day.

Britain’s rail network will completely shut down on Christmas Day, with only limited services operating on Boxing Day.

The festive period will see additional route closures due to Network Rail’s scheduled engineering works.

These planned maintenance activities, combined with the regular seasonal service reductions, mean passengers should carefully check their travel arrangements during the Christmas period.

The resolution of the Avanti West Coast dispute provides some relief, though travellers still face traditional seasonal service limitations.

The industrial action by RMT train managers would have severely disrupted services connecting the capital with Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow during the busy Christmas period.

Train managers will now vote on a revised proposal aimed at resolving the dispute over rest day working arrangements.

However, the suspension of industrial action offers relief to passengers who faced the prospect of extremely limited services during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.