Passengers have been warned of cancellations and delays as a rail strike set to paralyse Midland services is set to go ahead within days after talks ended in stalemate.
Strike Details
The action by Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) members is over rest day working payments. West Midlands Railway said cancellations and delays were likely on Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23. Just three routes will run, including Birmingham's key cross city line, but services are set to be vastly reduced.
A union spokesperson said: "TSSA is seeking parity with other unions on rest day pay - but talks today between the union and the arbitration service ACAS produced no breakthrough. Therefore, walkouts remain in place for this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday across the WMT network with the strong likelihood of services being cancelled under a much-reduced timetable."
The action involves roster clerks who are due to walk out on Thursday from midnight for 24 hours, and also duty train crew managers and control staff who have planned strike action from noon on Friday until midday on Saturday. TSSA balloted over 100 members across these roles for the relevant industrial action.
Service Impact
West Midlands Railways warned a "very limited" service would run on its network on Friday and Saturday. It told passengers: "We advise you to only travel if necessary as trains will only run on a small number of routes. Services on both dates will operate to a reduced timetable with no trains running after 7pm on Friday, May 22 and a later 7am start of service on Saturday, May 23. If you do travel, please be prepared for significant disruption to your journey."
Routes with Limited Service
- Cross City Line (Lichfield Trent Valley – Redditch / Bromsgrove via Birmingham New Street) – two trains per hour
- Wolverhampton – Walsall via Birmingham New Street – one train per hour
- Rugeley Trent Valley – Birmingham International via Birmingham New Street – one train per hour
Journey planners are not yet updated but will be updated in advance of the action taking place. No trains will run on any other WMR route, including all routes via Birmingham Snow Hill, the Camp Hill Line, Shrewsbury Line, Hereford Line and between Nuneaton and Leamington Spa.
Services will be subject to disruption and cancellations during this period and may be formed of fewer carriages on some routes. Travelling at quieter times is advised if possible. You are advised to check your entire journey before you travel and check the first and last train times on each day impacted by industrial action.
Union Statement
TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: "As things stand these strikes will go ahead as planned because the company is simply refusing to give our members parity with those in other unions. That is an intolerable situation, especially given the fact these are modest demands. Our reps at West Midlands Trains have consulted the membership and they remain determined to proceed with their legitimate action. It’s now up to the company to come to their senses and stop these walkouts. Our union remains open to further discussions and only takes strike action as a last resort."
