Andy Munns
The RMT Union has suspended its strike action planned for Saturday 5th, Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th of November.
Train companies and Network Rail are, however, warning that the decision is too late to reinstate services.
This means there will still be no service through Salisbury tomorrow (Saturday, 5th November), and passengers are being warned that this may continue into Monday. We are being advised to keep an eye on their websites for updates.
The closest stations providing train services to Salisbury are Southampton, Westbury and Basingstoke.
The strikes have been suspended after RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said the rail employers had seen sense.
He said: “We have always wanted to secure a negotiated settlement and that is what we will continue to push for in this next phase of intensive talks.
“Our priority is our members, and we are working towards securing a deal on job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions.”
He added that there had been “the promise of an offer” on pay from the rail operating companies.
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said, “It is positive that talks with the RMT trade union appear to be showing some progress, and we’re hopeful that today’s news brings us a step closer to finding a resolution to this long-running dispute.
“Unfortunately, with less than 12 hours’ notice before the strike was due to start, it is too late to restore normal timetables and spare customers from disruption tomorrow and the early part of next week. Our advice remains to only travel by rail if necessary.”
Train companies are working hard to improve planned timetables over the weekend and into the early part of next week. They are working hard to reinstate services but the advice remains to only travel if absolutely necessary on Saturday and Monday.
