Virgin Trains promises normal timetable during any RMT strike action on the east coast

Virgin Trains is reassuring customers that it will run a full timetable during any RMT strike action. The union has announced its members on the east coast route have voted in favour of industrial action, though no strike has yet been called.

Virgin Trains is making changes to customer-facing roles which will see a single person take responsibility for the customer experience on our trains. This will have no impact on safety, and will result in a better experience for customers.

Virgin Trains has also given assurances on each point raised by the union at the start of the dispute – such as ruling out any compulsory redundancies as a result of the changes.

David Horne, Managing Director for Virgin Trains on the east coast said, “We have worked hard to ensure there are comprehensive contingency plans in place and I want to reassure our customers that the timetable will be unaffected, should any strike go ahead.

“The changes we are making are part of the customer-centric revolution we have planned for the east coast. We’re already half-way through our complete refresh of our trains with all new interiors being rolled out, and in two years will have our brand-new Azuma trains coming into service. Alongside more modern trains, we want a modern customer service proposition – one that focuses firmly on the customer.

“With our guarantees that there will be no compulsory redundancies, no impact on safety and a full timetable in place during any action, we urge the RMT not to call a strike which will cost its members pay for no reason, and to rejoin us around the negotiating table.”