Strikes planned by RTM union drivers and guards during the annual Brighton Pride celebrations in August have been suspended after intervention from Chris Grayling MP.
Yesterday (July 18) the Secretary of StateĀ invited the RTM Union’s General Secretary, Mick Cash for direct talks, on condition the strike action was suspended. A similar invitation was extended to ASLEF.
A spokesperson for the RTM said: “We note the letter of July 18 from Chris Grayling, inviting the General Secretary to meet subject to RMT suspending our planned action for both Drivers and Conductors.
“We therefore suspend the industrial action called for Tuesday 1st August, Wednesday 2nd August, and Friday 4th August, and instruct the General Secretary to arrange the meeting and to place back before this NEC an update on the progress of the talks by Tuesday 1st August.
“RMT will be making no further comment at this stage as we arrange details for the talks and allow them space to take place.”
Members of ASLEF have announced they are ending the ban on overtime which has disrupted services over the past few weeks.
A spokesperson forĀ Govia Thameslink Railway, said:Ā “We are pleased to inform you that the proposed ASLEF and RMTĀ drivers strike on August 1,2 and 4 has now been suspended and weĀ are proud to be working withĀ Brighton & Hove PrideĀ to help get people to and from this spectacular event.
We will be utilising our new longer trains on our Thameslink routes to and from London and also adding carriages on our Southern and Gatwick Express routes where possible.
“Services are stillĀ expected to be extremely busy during the festival and queuing systems maybe in place, so do allow extra time to travel and plan to travel outside peak times. As always, we advise you to check before you travel in case there are any short notice alterations due to disruption.
“From all of us at Govia Thameslink Railway, we wish you a wonderful pride!”
Paul Kemp, Director of Brighton Pride, said: “We are very relieved and grateful that the action has been called off and has taken away the uncertainty for people travelling from all over the world and UK to visit the City for Brighton & Hove Pride.
“The Pride weekend is a critical time for Pride’s community fundraising for the Rainbow Fund and local LGBT/HIV groups and charities, so we’re just relived that the Pride plans will go ahead unhindered and we ask the City to come out and stand up to all hate crime.”
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