A strike by Network Rail workers has been rearranged to avoid a clash with the Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day appeal.
The Rail, Shipping and Transport Union (RMT) said its Network Rail members would strike on November 5, 7 and 9.
The union said after being made aware of the poppy appeal on November 3, the planned strike action that day had been postponed to November 9.
The call aims to raise £1million in one day and up to 2,000 volunteers.
The RMT said it would continue its industrial campaign until a negotiated settlement was reached on job security, pay and working conditions.
Last week Network Rail announced that a two-year deal for an 8% pay rise was “on the table, ready to be presented to our staff”.
Network Rail chief negotiator Tim Shoveller said: “Unfortunately, the RMT leadership seems more intent on more damaging strikes than giving their members a voice on our offering.”
In separate disputes, London Underground and Overground (Arriva Rail London) workers who are RMT union members will go on strike on November 10th, which was also planned for November 3rd.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our focus in this dispute is on the rail employers who are yet to make an offer setting the stage for a negotiated settlement.
“I call on the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to unleash the railway industry so that it can come to an agreement with RMT.
“We will vigorously continue our industrial campaign until we reach an agreement.”
The date change comes after the Legion had to cancel its planned fundraiser over concerns that “one of the most important days in our annual commemorative calendar could be a waste of time”.
Commenting on the rearrangement, the Royal British Legion said: “We are very grateful to the RMT union for calling off their strike action on 3 November.
“We recognize and respect the right of all unions to take action on behalf of their members and it was unfortunate that it would have had such a severe impact on our fundraising on this occasion.”
The UK has seen a series of rail strikes in recent months as unions and Network Rail, which owns and operates the infrastructure, train companies and the government have fought over wages and working conditions.
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