Image source, Future Publishing/Getty
London Poppy Day aims to raise £1 million in one day with up to 2,000 volunteers fundraising across the capital
A strike has been arranged by Network Rail workers to avoid a conflict with the Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day appeal.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said that its members of the Rail Network will go on strike on 5, 7 and 9 November.
The union said that after becoming aware of the poppy appeal on November 3, strike action planned for that day had been moved to the 9th.
The appeal aims to raise £1 million in one day and up to 2,000 volunteers will collect funds.
The RMT said it will continue its industrial campaign until it reaches a negotiated agreement on job security, wages and working conditions.
Last week, Network Rail said it had a two-year deal, an 8% pay rise “on the table ready to be put to our staff”.
Network Rail chief negotiator Tim Shoveller said: “Unfortunately, RMT management seem intent on more damaging strikes rather than giving their members a vote on our offer.”
In separate disputes, London Underground and Overground (Arriva Rail London) workers who are members of the RMT union will go on strike on November 10, which was also planned for November 3.
Fundraising events are to be held at over 70 Tube and train stations across London
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our focus in this dispute is the rail employers who have yet to make an offer that would create the conditions for a negotiated settlement.
“I call on the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to reach out to the rail industry so they can reach an agreement with RMT.
“We will vigorously continue our industrial campaign until we get an agreement.”
Analysis by Katy Austin, BBC Transport Correspondent
Analysis by Katy Austin, BBC Transport Correspondent
The strikes will still take place, and there will still be extensive disruption for passengers.
It’s just that some will be on different dates.
The RMT will not organize any strike on the 3rd, and the TSSA is expected to stop its action on that day as well.
RMT members in 14 rail companies will now only take part on 5 November.
But Network Rail walkouts on the 5th, 7th and 9th mean that it is likely only around 20% of Britain’s usual train services will be able to run on those days.
The September railway strikes were respectfully called off, following the Queen’s death.
But in addition, this is the first time in this wave of industrial action that the dates have been changed after they were announced.
For example, the biggest strike to date, the day before the London marathon in October, went ahead despite causing problems for many runners who had planned to go to the capital that day.
The change in date came after the legion had to cancel its planned fundraiser due to fears that “one of the most important days in our annual commemorative calendar would be a waste of time”.
Commenting on the reshuffle, The Royal British Legion said: “We are very grateful to the RMT union for calling off its strike action on 3 November.
“We recognize and respect the right of all unions to take action for their members, and it was unfortunate on this occasion that it would have had such a serious impact on our fundraising.”
There have been a series of rail strikes in the UK over the past few months, as unions clashed with Network Rail, which maintains and operates the infrastructure, rail firms and the government, over the pay and conditions.
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