RMT rail strike Thursday 16 & Saturday 18 March

You may have seen reports that the RMT have suspended strike action at Network Rail ahead of a referendum on a new deal.

Members of the TSSA union (management and control staff) have also accepted the proposed pay rise and deal at train operators. While this is welcome news, the RMT strike action at train operators continues and RMT (station and on board staff) will be on strike next Thursday 16 March, Saturday 18 March, Thursday 30 March and Saturday 1 April. 

Many parts of their network will have no service whatsoever on the affected strike days, and where they can run services they will start later and finish much earlier than normal. They will be much busier than usual and subject to short-notice changes and alterations. Customers are advised to find alternative methods of travel or to vary the date of their journey if they can. More information can be found on their dedicated strike page at www.gwr.com/strike including when detailed timetables will be available and how to claim refunds.

Services on Friday 17 and Sunday 20 will also be impacted with services starting later than normal, and anyone travelling on those dates should check their journey before travel.

Thursday 16 March is day three of the Cheltenham Festival. It is possible that there will be a limited service for Cheltenham, but this is likely to finish early and the advice for Cheltenham Festival goers is to look for alternative travel.  The RMT website will be updated on Monday with specific information.