Virgin rail workers strike on pay

Workers on Virgin Trains West Coast are said to be “solidly supporting” a strike over pay.

Members of the Rail, Maritime & Transport union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association yesterday mounted picket lines outside stations at the start of the 24-hour walkout.

Virgin said most of its services would run despite the action.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members the length and breadth of the Virgin West Coast operation are standing solid and determined this morning in their fight for workplace equality and justice.

“Virgin is a wealthy outfit and there is no excuse whatsoever for Sir Richard Branson to undervalue and discriminate against the very same staff whose hard work finances his luxury lifestyle.

“Virgin should stop trying to play divide and rule.”

Virgin said it had offered a “significantly above-inflation pay rise” that had been rejected by the unions.

Phil Whittingham, managing director for Virgin Trains on the west coast, said: “We have explored a generous 3.6 per cent pay increase. However, the unions’ leaderships are insisting on 4 per cent, double the 2 per cent average increase seen across the UK this year.”

Passengers were urged to check before setting off and warned that services would be busier than usual.