Highland Chieftain rail passengers urged to check journeys when Virgin Trains East Coast strikes begin
RAIL passengers on the Highland Chieftain service which operates between Inverness and London are being urged to check their travel plans ahead of a 48-hour strike later this month.
Members of the RMT union are set to walk out on April 28 and 29 on Virgin Trains East Coast routes in a dispute over staffing.
Although the company has drawn up contingency plans to run a near-normal timetable, it was unable to confirm whether the Highland Chieftain – which provides a vital daily link each way between London King’s Cross and Inverness – will operate as usual.
Mick Hogg, the RMT union’s regional organiser for Scotland, said the dispute centred on changes which have been imposed without agreement. The union wants assurances that the new job of train manager will retain the safety critical role and training currently held by train guards.
“The dispute is not about demanding more pay and better conditions,” he said. “We remain available for meaningful talks to find a solution to this.
“We apologise for any disruption which may be created as a result of this issue.”
David Horne, managing director for Virgin Trains East Coast, said the company had worked hard to ensure comprehensive contingency plans and wanted to reassure customers the timetable would be almost completely unaffected during the walkout.
“The changes we have made are part of the customer-centric revolution that’s under way,” he said.
