Industrial Action Impacts Arriva Trains Wales Service

Trains users across North Wales can expect some disruption this weekend as a 24-hour strike begins.

The 24-hour strike began at midday this afternoon and is scheduled to last until noon tomorrow.

The decision has been made by the RMT to take industrial action in North Wales regarding the recent dismissal of two conductors for continued failure to attend work. Sixty per cent of the conductors in North Wales either voted against strike action or did not vote.

Last week RMT announced that Arriva Trains Wales conductors working out of three key depots are to take strike action next week over the victimisation and dismissal of two union members through an outright abuse by the company of the sickness absence policy’.

In a statement released last week RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “This strike action has been caused wholly by the dismissal and victimisation of two RMT members following management’s failure to abide by the agreed procedures. They have deliberately chosen not to exercise discretion but have instead opted to take the hard line approach of dismissal, it is that action that has resulted in a total breakdown in industrial relations.

“RMT is in no doubt that our remembers will support the action and their victimised colleagues. The union remains available for talks aimed at resolving this dispute.”

Earlier this morning Arriva Trains Wales tweeted to say: “Our apologies to any customers affected by RMT Industrial Action today. Over 95% of services will be running as normal this afternoon.

Lynne Milligan, Customer Services Director said: “We are disappointed that the RMT have called to take industrial action and we regret that the situation has not been resolved. However we are putting plans in place to minimise passenger journey disruption especially on the busy Friday evening peak time commuter services. We are hoping to have all trains ready to resume services as normal as soon as the strike action is over at midday on Saturday

“We ask all our customers using our North Wales services to check their journey plans with our employees at the station or to check our website for the latest details.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this industrial action.”

Arriva Trains Wales has put in plans to minimise any disruption to its train services during the proposed 24 hours of RMT industrial action by conductors between 12:00 (Midday) Friday 10 October 2014 and 12:00(Midday) Saturday 11 October 2014.

– Wrexham to Bidston (services running as normal)
– Conwy Valley (bus service Friday evening and Saturday morning )
– North Wales Coast (bus service late Friday evening, minimum services Saturday morning however Virgin services running as normal)
– Chester to Manchester (minimal disruption Friday, reduced services Saturday morning)
– Chester to Birmingham (minimal disruption to services)
– Cardiff to Holyhead (service starts and terminates at Chester with connection to other services)
– Crewe to Shrewsbury (services running as normal)

Any customer who is not able to make their journey services as planned due to the industrial action will be entitled to a full refund from where they originally bought their ticket.

The industrial action will not affect rail services provided by other train operators in North Wales. Further information on any disruptions / service changes can be found on the Arriva Trains website here.