RMT strike this weekend to disrupt travel across the region says Northern

Northern has advised its customers across the North of England to avoid travelling by train on Saturday 26 August as the latest RMT strike takes place.

Overall 20,000 RMT Union members working on every grade across 14 national rail operators will take further strike action in the national dispute over working conditions, pay and job security.

Northern has published a travel advice calendar for Friday 25 – Monday 28 August to highlight when services will be affected.

There will be very limited services on Saturday 26 August, with only a handful of stations able to offer an hourly service between 8am and 5pm.

Early morning services on Sunday 27 August are also expected to be disrupted due to the impact strikes have on fleet displacement.

Union members will also be striking on Saturday 2 September with limited services, and ASLEF has also announced industrial action for 1 and 2 September. Northern says 'significant disruption is to be expected'.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.

“We have had to call further strike action as we have received no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group.

“The reason for this is the government has not allowed them a fresh mandate on which discussions could be held.

“Our members and our union will continue fighting until we can reach a negotiated and just settlement."

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “We know these RMT strikes will cause disruption to the general public.

“Whilst this is only a one-day strike, it falls right in the middle of the busy August bank holiday weekend and will impact people trying to get to major events taking place across region, including Manchester United and Everton football fixtures, York Races, Leeds Festival, Creamfields and Manchester Pride.

“The RMT is still refusing to put the latest pay offer negotiated on behalf of train operators to a vote by their members and it is unfortunate that these strikes continue for their second summer.”

For more information about the strike and the skeleton service in place, customers should visit: www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/strikes.