Avanti West Coast Strikes Lead to Major Rail Disruptions

RMT union members protest rest-day pay disparities, affecting thousands of passengers across key routes.

RMT union members working as train managers at Avanti West Coast began a series of strikes over rest-day pay disputes, with walkouts scheduled every Sunday from January 12 to May 25, 2025.
Avanti West Coast is operating a significantly reduced timetable, with only one train per hour on key routes such as London Euston to Wolverhampton, Crewe, and Manchester, and limited services to Glasgow and Preston.
The dispute centers on claims that Avanti managers earn up to double the pay of regular train managers for covering shifts on rest days, with RMT members rejecting the company's proposed overtime rates.
Passengers have been strongly advised to avoid travel on strike days, with options for ticket refunds or travel on alternative dates provided by Avanti West Coast.
The strikes coincide with engineering works on some routes, further compounding disruptions for passengers traveling to destinations like Liverpool, North Wales, and Edinburgh.