UK: Union calls off Network Rail strike scheduled March 16; other strikes to go ahead March 15-16 and 18 /update 1

Event

The Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union has called off a March 16 strike at Network Rail, the UK's national owner and operator of rail infrastructure, after workers accepted an improved pay offer.

Other strikes in the rail sector and among the civil service are currently set to continue but may also be averted at short notice.

Unionized national rail, London Underground (Tube), and Border Force staff will observe strikes March 15-16 and 18 in protest over pay, pensions, working conditions, and government plans to introduce anti-strike legislation.

Significant rail disruptions are likely March 15-16. Tube workers represented by the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and the RMT unions will observe strike action on March 15. Tube services will be limited or suspended entirely on March 15; Related disruptions will likely extend into early March 16.

Unionized workers at 18 rail operators will observe a 24-hour strike on March 16. Employees at the following companies are to take part: Avanti West Coast, c2c, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, LNER, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, Southern, Southeastern, South Western Railway, Thameslink, TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Railway. Some Tube lines will be impacted by the national rail strike, including the Elizabeth line and London Overground, as well as parts of the Bakerloo and District lines. Services affected by the national rail strike may be disrupted until late morning on March 17.

RMT has also announced a 24-hour rail strike on March 18, affecting services provided by the same 18 operators listed above. However, Tube staff have not indicated they would join the strike. Services affected by the national rail strike may be disrupted until late morning on March 19.

Border Force workers represented by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will strike on March 15. Border Force is the UK's border control service; the strike will impact international arrivals at all UK ports, as well as those in Calais, Dunkirk, and Coquelles in France. Passport control at entry and exit points may be disrupted.

The strikes, should they go ahead, are likely to cause significant disruptions to rail transport services throughout the UK. Increased congestion on alternative forms of public transport is likely on strike-affected days. Passenger processing delays are likely at ports on March 15. Participating union members may organize demonstrations, which may cause localized disruptions. Further strikes are likely over the coming weeks.

Advice

Reconfirm travel plans for March 15-19. Follow local travel and security advice. Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution.